-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, RBOyr+iCppfORRoTFFbAPBaZb5l+b5daRazA/4Q1fqAZ3MXzP8eFhNwDsYntbzaD QucWd0a7NQMfIe6mSzQn2g== 0000930413-08-001588.txt : 20080310 0000930413-08-001588.hdr.sgml : 20080310 20080310124327 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000930413-08-001588 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20071231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080310 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080310 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ROME BANCORP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001088144 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6035] IRS NUMBER: 161573070 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-27481 FILM NUMBER: 08676871 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 WEST DOMINICK STREET CITY: ROME STATE: NY ZIP: 13440 BUSINESS PHONE: 3153367300 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 WEST DOMINICK STREET CITY: ROME STATE: NY ZIP: 13440 10-K 1 c52661_10k.htm


U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
Commission File No.: 000-27481

ROME BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware

 

16-1573070

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

100 W. Dominick Street, Rome, New York 13440-5810
(Address of principal executive offices)
(315) 336-7300
(Registrants Telephone Number)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Title of Class

Name of exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC

          Indicate by check mark of the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o   No x

          Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o   No x

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x   No o

          Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Sect. 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

 

          Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer x

Non-accelerated filer o

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act. Yes o   No x



          Based on the closing sales price on June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $76,810,000.

Rome Bancorp had 7,613,215 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 5, 2008.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

          Portions of the definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A to be issued by the registrant in connection with the 2008 Annual Meeting and portions of the 2007 Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 are incorporated by reference into Parts II and III of this report.



 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 


PART I

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

4

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

30

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

33

ITEM 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY

33

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

34

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

34

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

34

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

34

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

35

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

35

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

35

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

35

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

35

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

36

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

36

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

36

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

36

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

37

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

37

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

37



Forward Looking Statements

          This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” which may be identified by the use of such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential.” Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to our financial condition and results of operation and business that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates including, but not limited to, changes in the real estate market or local economy, changes in interest rates, changes in laws and regulations to which we are subject, and competition in our primary market area.

          Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any other public statements we make may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or unknown risks and uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statements can be guaranteed. We disclaim any obligation to subsequently revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements, or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

PART I

 

 

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

General

          Rome Bancorp, Inc. (“Rome Bancorp” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation organized on June 9, 1999 as the stock holding company for The Rome Savings Bank (“Rome Savings” or the “Bank”), a federally chartered stock savings bank headquartered in Rome, New York. Rome Bancorp’s principal business is to hold the capital stock of Rome Savings.

          The Rome Savings Bank is a federal stock savings bank and the wholly-owned subsidiary of Rome Bancorp. Rome Savings was originally chartered in 1851 as a New York mutual savings bank. On October 6, 1999, Rome Savings reorganized into a mutual holding company structure and formed Rome Bancorp and Rome, MHC. On April 27, 2004, Rome, MHC, Rome Bancorp and Rome Savings completed their conversions from New York-chartered companies to federally-chartered companies regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”). On March 30, 2005, Rome, MHC completed its second-step conversion and related stock offering and ceased to exist.

          Rome Savings is a community and customer-oriented retail savings bank that offers traditional deposit products, residential real estate mortgage loans and consumer, commercial and commercial real estate loans. In addition, Rome Savings purchases securities issued by the U.S. Government and government agencies, municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities and other investments permitted by applicable laws and regulations. At December 31, 2007, Rome Bancorp had assets of $318.1 million, deposits of $203.0 million and stockholders’ equity of $69.0 million.

Business Strategy

          Our business is to hold Rome Savings. Our revenues are derived principally from interest on our loans and interest and dividends on our investment securities. Our primary sources of funds are deposits, payments of loan principal and mortgage-backed securities, maturities and calls of investment securities, and funds provided by operations.

4


Market Area

          Operations are conducted out of our executive office in Rome, New York and four branch offices located in Oneida County, New York, two of which are located in Rome, one in New Hartford, New York and one in Lee, New York. As of June 30, 2007, Rome Savings maintained a 5.47% share of all Oneida County, New York deposits, ranking seventh in size of deposits in Oneida County. Rome Savings also maintained a 41.27% market share of all reported funds on deposit in the City of Rome as of June 30, 2007, making it the largest depository institution in Rome.

          Our geographic market area for loans and deposits is principally Oneida County, New York. The local economy is not dependent on one key employer. The principal employment sectors are service-related (excluding financial industries), wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing.

          Similar to national trends, most of the job growth currently realized in Oneida County has been in service related industries, and service jobs now account for the largest portion of the workforce. Our market area also includes a growing number of healthcare, engineering, software, and technical firms that have located in Oneida County in order to take advantage of its well-educated work force, including current and former military and defense industry personnel. Rome, New York is located 15 miles west of Utica and approximately 45 miles east of Syracuse. On occasion and depending on market conditions, we also originate loans in the greater New York City metropolitan area, typically through loan participations, and outside of New York State. At December 31, 2007, Rome Savings’ total loan portfolio consisted of $276.2 million in loans located in the State of New York, while $6.8 million of such loans consisted of loans made outside of New York.

          Our future growth opportunities will be influenced by growth and stability in the regional and statewide economies, other demographic trends and the competitive environment. We believe that Rome Savings has developed lending products and marketing strategies to address the credit-related needs of the residents in our local market area.

Competition

          Rome Savings faces intense competition both in making loans and attracting deposits. New York has a high concentration of financial institutions, many of which are branches of large money center and regional banks which have resulted from the consolidation of the banking industry in New York and surrounding states. Some of these competitors have greater resources than we do and may offer services that we do not provide. For example, Rome Savings does not provide trust or investment services, or credit cards. Customers who seek “one-stop shopping” may be drawn to these institutions.

          Competition for loans comes principally from commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking firms, credit unions, finance companies, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment banking firms. The most direct competition for deposits has historically come from credit unions, commercial banks, savings banks, and savings and loan associations. Rome Savings faces additional competition for deposits from short-term money market funds, corporate and government securities funds, and from brokerage firms, mutual funds, and insurance companies.

Lending Activities

          General. Rome Savings has a long-standing commitment to originate commercial real estate, commercial and consumer loans, in addition to a traditional emphasis on residential lending. We currently retain substantially all of the loans that we originate, periodically selling longer term loans into the secondary market. At December 31, 2007, Rome Savings had total loans of $283.0 million, of which $155.0 million, or 54.77%, were one- to four-family residential mortgages and building loans. Of residential mortgage loans

5


outstanding at that date, 27.91% were adjustable-rate mortgage loans and 72.09% were fixed-rate loans. The remainder of Rome Savings’ loans at December 31, 2007, amounting to $128.0 million, or 45.23% of total loans, consisted of commercial real estate, commercial loans, and consumer loans. Rome Savings originates commercial real estate and commercial business loans both within and outside of Oneida County, New York. As of December 31, 2007, 17.60% of Rome Savings’ loan portfolio was in commercial real estate loans and 10.29% was in commercial loans. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, 17.34% of Rome Savings’ loan portfolio was in consumer loans.

          Our loans are subject to federal and state laws and regulations. The interest rates we charge on loans are affected principally by the demand for loans, the supply of money available for lending purposes and the interest rates offered by our competitors. These factors are, in turn, affected by general and local economic conditions, monetary policies of the federal government, including the Federal Reserve Board, legislative tax policies and governmental budgetary matters.

6


          Loan Portfolio. The following table sets forth the composition of our mortgage and other loan portfolios, by type of loan, in dollar amounts and in percentages at the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Amount

 

Percent
of
Total

 

Amount

 

Percent
of
Total

 

Amount

 

Percent
of
Total

 

Amount

 

Percent
of
Total

 

Amount

 

Percent
of
Total

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One- to four-family

 

$

149,702

 

 

52.91

%

$

135,078

 

 

51.06

%

$

126,422

 

 

49.79

%

$

114,138

 

 

48.93

%

$

96,217

 

 

45.94

%

Commercial real estate

 

 

49,795

 

 

17.60

 

 

54,493

 

 

20.60

 

 

52,748

 

 

20.78

 

 

49,364

 

 

21.16

 

 

50,239

 

 

23.98

 

Construction and land

 

 

5,258

 

 

1.86

 

 

2,562

 

 

0.97

 

 

3,317

 

 

1.31

 

 

5,469

 

 

2.34

 

 

4,197

 

 

2.00

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total mortgage loans

 

 

204,755

 

 

72.37

 

 

192,133

 

 

72.63

 

 

182,487

 

 

71.88

 

 

168,971

 

 

72.43

 

 

150,653

 

 

71.92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial loans

 

 

29,127

 

 

10.29

 

 

24,189

 

 

9.14

 

 

23,832

 

 

9.39

 

 

21,507

 

 

9.22

 

 

19,171

 

 

9.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automobile

 

 

16,009

 

 

5.66

 

 

17,779

 

 

6.72

 

 

18,321

 

 

7.21

 

 

15,529

 

 

6.66

 

 

15,780

 

 

7.53

 

Property improvement

 

 

15,829

 

 

5.59

 

 

15,536

 

 

5.87

 

 

15,434

 

 

6.08

 

 

12,766

 

 

5.47

 

 

9,460

 

 

4.52

 

Other

 

 

17,232

 

 

6.09

 

 

14,900

 

 

5.64

 

 

13,804

 

 

5.44

 

 

14,499

 

 

6.22

 

 

14,401

 

 

6.88

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total consumer loans

 

 

49,070

 

 

17.34

 

 

48,215

 

 

18.23

 

 

47,559

 

 

18.73

 

 

42,794

 

 

18.35

 

 

39,641

 

 

18.93

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total loans

 

 

282,952

 

 

100.00

%

 

264,537

 

 

100.00

%

 

253,878

 

 

100.00

%

 

233,272

 

 

100.00

%

 

209,465

 

 

100.00

%

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Allowance for loan losses

 

 

1,910

 

 

 

 

 

1,965

 

 

 

 

 

1,960

 

 

 

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

 

 

1,809

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Loans, net

 

$

281,042

 

 

 

 

$

262,572

 

 

 

 

$

251,918

 

 

 

 

$

231,272

 

 

 

 

$

207,656

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

7


          Loan Maturity. The following table presents the contractual maturity of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2007. The table does not include the effect of prepayments or scheduled principal amortization.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential
Mortgage Loans

 

Commercial Real
Estate Loans

 

Consumer Loans

 

Commercial
Loans

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts due:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within one year

 

$

163

 

$

4,684

 

$

3,181

 

$

12,048

 

After one year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One to three years

 

 

481

 

 

2,269

 

 

10,594

 

 

2,981

 

Three to five years

 

 

2,043

 

 

1,268

 

 

16,540

 

 

2,580

 

Five to ten years

 

 

12,914

 

 

7,057

 

 

11,851

 

 

5,121

 

Ten to twenty years

 

 

52,213

 

 

29,419

 

 

4,061

 

 

3,192

 

After twenty years

 

 

84,594

 

 

7,650

 

 

2,843

 

 

3,205

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total due after one year

 

 

152,245

 

 

47,663

 

 

45,889

 

 

17,079

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total loans

 

$

152,408

 

$

52,347

 

$

49,070

 

$

29,127

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

          The following table presents, as of December 31, 2007, the dollar amount of all loans, due after December 31, 2008, and whether these loans have fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due After December 31, 2008

 

 

 


 

 

 

Fixed

 

Adjustable

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage loans

 

$

119,512

 

$

32,733

 

$

152,245

 

Commercial real estate loans

 

 

27,038

 

 

20,625

 

 

47,663

 

Consumer loans

 

 

32,958

 

 

12,931

 

 

45,889

 

Commercial loans

 

 

9,032

 

 

8,047

 

 

17,079

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total loans

 

$

188,540

 

$

74,336

 

$

262,876

 

 

 



 



 



 

          The following table presents Rome Savings’ loan originations, purchases, sales, and principal payments for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

Total loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance outstanding at beginning of period

 

$

264,537

 

$

253,878

 

$

233,272

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Originations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage loans

 

 

39,297

 

 

40,043

 

 

41,872

 

Commercial and consumer loans

 

 

22,384

 

 

17,925

 

 

23,408

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total originations

 

 

61,681

 

 

57,968

 

 

65,280

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal repayments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage loans

 

 

26,675

 

 

29,180

 

 

26,560

 

Commercial and consumer loans

 

 

14,815

 

 

16,559

 

 

15,649

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total principal payments

 

 

41,490

 

 

45,739

 

 

42,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers to foreclosed real estate

 

 

52

 

 

99

 

 

83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan sales

 

 

1,491

 

 

1,099

 

 

1,695

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans charged off

 

 

233

 

 

372

 

 

687

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance outstanding at end of period

 

$

282,952

 

$

264,537

 

$

253,878

 

 

 



 



 



 

8


          Residential Mortgage Lending. Rome Savings emphasizes the origination of mortgage loans secured by one to four-family properties that serve as the primary residence of the owner. Rome Savings does not originate subprime or interest only mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2007, loans on one-to four-family residential properties accounted for $152.5 million, or 53.89%, of Rome Savings’ total loan portfolio. Of residential mortgage loans outstanding on that date, 27.91% were adjustable-rate mortgage loans and 72.09% were fixed rate loans. Rome Savings may seek to expand its residential lending activities primarily through the marketing and sale to the secondary market of longer term fixed-rate mortgage loans. Management of Rome Savings believes that the expansion of Rome Savings’ residential lending will enhance its reputation as a service-oriented institution that meets the needs of its local community.

          Most of Rome Savings’ loan originations are from existing or past customers, members of Rome Savings’ local communities or referrals from local real estate agents, attorneys, and builders. Management of Rome Savings believes that its branch offices could be a significant source of new loan generation.

          Rome Savings’ mortgage loan originations are generally for terms from 10 to 30 years, amortized on a monthly basis with interest and principal due each month. Residential real estate loans may remain outstanding for significantly shorter periods than their contractual terms as borrowers may refinance or prepay loans at their option without penalty. Conventional residential mortgage loans granted by Rome Savings customarily contain “due-on-sale” clauses that permit Rome Savings to accelerate the indebtedness of the loan upon transfer of ownership of the mortgage property.

          As of September 2002, Rome Savings’ Board of Directors approved a plan to have residential lending policies and procedures conform to secondary market guidelines. In the future, Rome Savings’ may sell qualifying fixed-rate longer-term loans into the secondary market, but expects to continue to retain fixed rate loans with maturities of shorter terms. Rome Savings allows residential mortgage loans with a loan to value ratio up to 103%. All mortgages originated with a loan-to-value ratio of 90% or greater have Private Mortgage Insurance (“PMI”) with 25% to 35% coverage. Mortgages between 80 and 90% loan to value ratio may require PMI based on credit scores and other financial attributes of the applicants. These loans are self insured with risk built into a pricing add-on. PMI insurance is not required on loans with an 80% or less loan to value ratio. Rome Savings at times may originate mortgages outside of secondary market guidelines, tailored to the needs of its customers. Commitments issued in these situations are reviewed with the board on a monthly basis. Rome Savings also offers residential construction loans to customers in its primary lending market.

          Generally, Rome Savings will make construction loans up to 80% loan to value ratio and up to 95% with PMI. The program allows for mortgagors to receive up to five advances during the construction phase. Rome Savings uses third-party Board-approved inspectors to determine the advance amount and obtains a clear title report prior to making each advance. The loan converts to permanent financing at the end of six months from the initial closing whether the house is completed or not. The interest rate on the permanent financing is locked in at the time of application for the construction/permanent mortgage. Rome Savings receives at closing, in addition to standard fees and closing costs, up to 0.75% of the loan amount as additional income.

          Rome Savings also offers adjustable-rate mortgage loans with a maximum term of 30 years. Adjustable-rate loans offered by Rome Savings include loans that provide for an interest rate based on the interest paid on U.S. Treasury securities of corresponding terms plus a margin of up to 2.75%. Rome Savings currently offers adjustable-rate loans with initial rates below those which would prevail under the foregoing computations, based upon a determination of market factors and competitive rates for adjustable-rate loans in its market area. For adjustable-rate loans, borrowers are qualified at the initial rate.

          Rome Savings’ adjustable-rate mortgages include limits on increase or decrease in the interest rate of the loan. The interest rate may increase or decrease by a maximum 2.0% per adjustment period with a ceiling rate of 11% over the life of the loan. The retention of adjustable-rate mortgage loans in our loan portfolio helps reduce exposure to changes in interest rates. However, there are unquantifiable credit risks resulting from potential increased costs to the borrower as a result of the pricing of adjustable-rate mortgage loans. During periods of rising interest rates, the risk of default on adjustable-rate mortgage loans may increase due to the upward adjustment of interest cost to the borrower.

9


          During the year ended December 31, 2007, Rome Savings originated $12.2 million in adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans and $21.7 million in fixed-rate one- to four- family residential loans. Approximately 6.1% of all residential loan originations during fiscal 2007 were refinancings of loans already in Rome Savings’ portfolio. At December 31, 2007, Rome Savings’ loan portfolio included $42.4 million in adjustable-rate one to four-family residential mortgage loans, or 15.00% of its total loan portfolio, and $110.0 million in fixed-rate one to four-family residential mortgage loans, or 38.86% of its total loan portfolio.

          Commercial Real Estate Loans. We originate commercial real estate loans to finance the purchase of real property, which generally consists of developed real estate. In underwriting commercial real estate loans, consideration is given to the property’s historic cash flow, current and projected occupancy, location and physical condition. At December 31, 2007, our commercial real estate loan portfolio consisted of 174 loans, totaling $52.3 million, or 18.48%, of total loans. Most of the commercial real estate portfolio consists of loans which are collateralized by properties in our normal lending area. To a lesser extent, commercial real estate loans are secured by out of market properties. Our commercial real estate loan portfolio is diverse, and does not have any significant loan concentration by type of industry or borrower. We lend up to a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 75% on commercial properties and require a minimum debt coverage ratio of 1.25. Commercial real estate lending involves additional risks compared with one-to-four-family residential lending. Because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate properties are often dependent on the successful operation or management of the properties, and/or the collateral value of the commercial real estate securing the loan, repayment of such loans may be subject, to a greater extent, to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. Also, commercial real estate loans typically involve large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Rome Savings’ loan policies limit the amount of loans to a single borrower or group of borrowers to reduce this risk.

          Rome Savings commercial real estate loan portfolio includes $2.5 million of construction loans. From time to time Rome Savings approves commercial construction mortgages. Recognizing the risks inherent to this type of lending, it is Rome Savings’ practice to minimize lending risk by carefully studying project feasibility, developing a detailed knowledge of the borrower/guarantor’s entire business operation, assessing both primary and secondary sources of repayment, and by structuring the credit in a manner appropriate to the project.

          Rome Savings will only consider construction lending where it holds a first position mortgage lien on the subject premises. No construction loan will be advanced without permanent financing approved by Rome Savings or another lender. Commitments from any source other than this bank must be reviewed for capacity and conditions. Rome Savings’ exposure cannot exceed 75% of the project cost. Rome Savings requires that up-front equity requirements be met in cash or free and clear value of the land directly associated with the project. The ratio of projected cash flow versus debt service coverage must equal or exceed 1.25. Construction loans may have interest only payments until completion of the project but not beyond 12 months. Personal guaranties are required of the principals of closely held entities. Funds are disbursed only after proper documentation of work completed. A 5% to 10% retainage is normally required.

          Commercial Loans. In addition to commercial real estate loans, we also engage in small business commercial lending, including business installment loans, lines of credit and other commercial loans. At December 31, 2007, our commercial loan portfolio consisted of 370 loans, totaling $29.1 million, or 10.29% of total loans. A portion of Rome Savings’ commercial loans are participation loans. Unless otherwise structured as a mortgage on commercial real estate, such loans generally are limited to terms of five years or less. Substantially all such commercial loans have variable interest rates tied to the prime rate. Whenever possible, Rome Savings collateralizes these loans with a lien on commercial real estate or, alternatively, with a lien on business assets and equipment and the personal guarantees from principals of the borrower. Interest rates on commercial loans generally have higher yields than residential mortgages.

          Rome Savings offers commercial services administered by Rome Savings’ commercial loan department that are designed to give business owners borrowing opportunities for modernization, inventory, equipment, construction, consolidation, real estate, working capital, vehicle purchases, and the refinancing of existing corporate debt.

          Commercial loans are generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk than residential mortgage loans because the collateral may be in the form of intangible assets and/or inventory subject to market obsolescence.

10


Commercial loans may also involve relatively large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers, with the repayment of such loans typically dependent on the successful operation and income stream of the borrower. Such risks can be significantly affected by economic conditions. In addition, commercial business lending generally requires substantially greater oversight efforts compared to residential real estate lending. Rome Savings utilizes the services of an outside consultant to conduct on-site reviews of the commercial loan portfolio to ensure adherence to underwriting standards and policy requirements.

          Consumer Loans. Rome Savings offers a variety of consumer loans. At December 31, 2007, the consumer loan portfolio totaled $49.1 million or 17.34% of total loans. Consumer loans generally are offered for terms of up to five or 10 years, depending on the collateral, at fixed interest rates. Rome Savings’ consumer loan portfolio consists primarily of property improvement loans (i.e., home equity loans and home equity lines of credit) and used automobile loans. To a lesser extent, the consumer loan portfolio also includes:

 

 

 

 

new automobile loans;

 

 

 

 

recreational vehicles, boats, and conversion vans;

 

 

 

 

motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and equipment loans;

 

 

 

 

secured passbook loans;

 

 

 

 

unsecured loans;

 

 

 

 

education loans; and

 

 

 

 

mobile or manufactured home loans.

          Rome Savings expects consumer lending to be an area of steady lending growth, with installment loans continuing to account for the major portion of our consumer lending volume. Automobile loans, which consist primarily of loans for used cars currently comprises the largest portion of the consumer loan portfolio at 32.62%. Rome Savings makes loans secured by deposit accounts up to 90% of the amount of the depositor’s savings account balance. Rome Savings also makes other consumer loans, which may or may not be secured. The terms of such loans vary depending on the collateral.

          Rome Savings provides home equity lines of credit for any purpose, using the applicant’s principal residence. The normal loan to value for these lines is 90%, with certain conditions allowing for up to 100%. This product has a ten-year interest-only draw period. During this period, principal reductions are at the applicant’s discretion. At the end of the ten-year period, any outstanding principal balance due is termed out over 15 years with payments to principal plus interest monthly. These lines have a variable interest at prime rate. Access to these lines is by customer checks. All closing costs are waived providing that the line remains open for at least three years. In addition, Rome Savings offers fixed rate amortizing installment home equity loans with terms of five to fifteen years.

          Rome Savings makes loans for automobiles, both new and used, directly to the borrowers. The term of automobile loans is generally limited to five years. The financial terms of the loans are determined by the age of the collateral. Rome Savings obtains a title lien on the vehicle and collision insurance policies are required on all these loans. Rome Savings pays a referral fee of no more than $225 to automobile dealers who refer it customers. There is no difference in the interest rates and terms offered to customers who are referred and those who are not.

          Consumer loans are generally originated at higher interest rates than residential mortgage loans, but also tend to have a higher credit risk than residential loans due to the loan being unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciable assets. Despite these risks, Rome Savings’ level of consumer loan delinquencies generally has been low. No assurance can be given, however, that Rome Savings’ delinquency rate on consumer loans will continue to remain low in the future, or that we will not incur future losses on these activities.

11


          Loan Approval Procedures and Authority. Rome Savings’ lending policies are established by its Board of Directors. The policies differ depending on the type of loan involved.

 

 

 

 

Residential Mortgage Loans: Once Rome Savings receives a completed application, each mortgage application is underwritten by Board approved and designated Bank employees and officers for approval. Loans over $417,000 must also be presented to the Executive Committee or the Lending Committee, which consists of the officers and directors of Rome Savings, for a second approval.

 

 

 

 

Commercial Loans and Commercial Mortgage Loans: The maximum commercial loan or commercial mortgage amount is dictated by Rome Savings’ portfolio management guidelines. The total of all credit extended to one borrower may not exceed $7.0 million. The maximum amount of any single loan, or combination of loans secured by the same collateral, is $3.0 million. The total of commercial mortgages and commercial loans by industry may not exceed 8.0% of assets. Rome Savings may not exceed the legal limits of lending to one borrower, currently 15% of unimpaired capital, not including accumulated other comprehensive income. See “Regulations – Regulation of Federal Savings Associations – Loans to One Borrower.” Per Rome Savings’ internal policies, loans to one borrower include group credit. A group credit is broadly defined as any credit, either direct, indirect, or contingent, including unused lines of credit and other commitments by Rome Savings to lend, extended either jointly or severally to individuals, joint ventures, partnerships, corporations, subsidiaries or affiliates, which are commonly controlled or where the credit reliance is similar. The minimum amount for a commercial loan is not specific in policy but loans under $5,000 are unusual. The minimum amount for a commercial mortgage is not specified in policy but mortgages under $25,000 are unusual.

 

 

 

 

 

One designated vice president of Rome Savings Bank has the authority to approve commercial loans up to $425,000 which are secured by liquid collateral and may approve other commercial loans up to $300,000. Another designated vice president of Rome Savings Bank has the authority to approve commercial loans up to $400,000 which are secured by liquid collateral and may approve other commercial loans up to $250,000. Rome Savings’ President and Chief Executive Office may approve commercial loans up to $650,000 which are secured by liquid collateral, and all other commercial loans up to $400,000. A combination of any two of these three officers may approve commercial loans up to $800,000 which are secured by liquid collateral. Any two may approve all other commercial loans up to $500,000. Any commercial loan request in excess of the approval authority outlined above must be presented to the bank’s Lending Committee, Executive Committee, or Board of Directors for approval.

 

 

 

 

 

One designated vice president of Rome Savings Bank has the authority to approve commercial mortgages up to $325,000 and another vice president has the authority to approve commercial mortgages up to $300,000. Rome Savings’ President and Chief Executive Officer has authority to approve commercial mortgages up to $500,000. A combination of any two of these three officers may approve a commercial mortgage up to $700,000. Any commercial mortgage request in excess of the approval authorities outlined above must be presented to Rome Savings’ Lending Committee, Executive Committee, or Board of Directors for approval.

 

 

 

 

Consumer Loans: Rome Savings extends consumer loans in amounts starting at a minimum of $1,000, and with no upper limit, other than the portfolio management guidelines. Approvals begin at the interviewer level with various approval authorities ranging from $7,500 to $25,000. Loan requests above these amounts are then addressed up to $100,000 with the Vice President of Consumer Loans, up to $250,000 with the Senior Loan Officer, and up to $450,000 with the President and Chief Executive Officer. Requests above $450,000 are referred to the Lending Committee, Executive Committee, or the Board of Directors.

12


 

 

 

 

Home Equity Lines of Credit: Lines of credit against an applicant’s principal residence extend from $7,500 to $250,000. Approvals for these lines are handled as follows: up to $75,000 by the assistant to the head of the Consumer Lending Department; $150,000 by the Vice President of Consumer Lending or Mortgage Departments; and up to $250,000 by the Senior Loan Officer or Rome Savings’ President and Chief Executive Officer. Any exceptions to the normal parameters are approved by the Lending Committee, Executive Committee, or the Board of Directors.

          Current Lending Procedures. Upon receipt of a completed loan application from a prospective borrower, Rome Savings orders a credit report and verifies certain other information. If necessary, Rome Savings obtains additional financial or credit related information. Rome Savings requires an appraisal for all mortgage loans, including loans made to refinance existing mortgage loans. Appraisals are performed by licensed or certified third-party appraisal firms that have been approved by Rome Savings’ Board of Directors. Rome Savings requires title insurance on all secondary market mortgage loans and certain other loans. Rome Savings requires borrowers to obtain hazard insurance, and if applicable, Rome Savings may require borrowers to obtain flood insurance prior to closing. Also available to borrowers is the option to advance funds on a monthly basis, together with each payment of principal and interest, to a mortgage escrow account from which Rome Savings makes disbursements for items such as real estate taxes, flood insurance, and private mortgage insurance premiums, if required.

Asset Quality

          One of Rome Savings’ key operating objectives has been and continues to be maintaining a high level of asset quality. Through a variety of strategies, including but not limited to borrower workout arrangements and aggressive marketing of foreclosed properties, Rome Savings has been proactive in addressing problem and non-performing assets. These strategies, as well as Rome Savings’ high proportion of one-to-four family mortgage loans, the maintenance of sound credit standards for new loan originations, and loan administration procedures, have resulted in historically low delinquency ratios and, in recent years, a reduction in non-performing assets. These factors have helped strengthen Rome Savings’ financial condition.

          Collection Procedures. When a borrower fails to make required payments on a loan, Rome Savings takes a number of steps to induce the borrower to cure the delinquency and restore the loan to a current status. In the case of mortgage loans, Rome Savings’ mortgage servicing department is responsible for collection procedures from the 15th day up to the 120th day of delinquency. A reminder letter requesting prompt payment is sent on the 25th day. A late charge notice is sent at 30 days. At 30 days, Rome Savings also attempts to establish telephone contact with the borrower. If no contact is established, progressively stronger collection letters are sent on the 45th and 55th days of delinquency. Late charge notices are sent on the 30th and 60th days of the delinquency. Between the 60th and 90th day of delinquency, if telephone contact has not been established or if there has been mail returned, the collector or his or her assistant makes a physical inspection of the property. When contact is made with the borrower at any time prior to foreclosure, Rome Savings attempts to obtain full payment of the amount delinquent or work out a repayment schedule with the borrower in order to avoid foreclosure. It has been Rome Savings’ experience that most loan delinquencies are cured within 105 days and no legal action is taken.

          Rome Savings sends the “right to cure” foreclosure notice when a loan is approximately 75 days delinquent. This contains a “right to cure” clause that gives the customer the terms that must be met within 30 days of the date the letter is sent in order to avoid foreclosure action. After this letter expires, Rome Savings sends the loan to committee for approval to foreclose. Rome Savings commences foreclosure if the loan is not brought current by the 120th day of delinquency unless specific limited circumstances warrant an exception. Rome Savings holds property foreclosed upon as other real estate owned. Rome Savings carries foreclosed real estate at its fair market value less estimated selling costs. If a foreclosure action is commenced and the loan is brought current, paid in full, or refinanced before the foreclosure sale, Rome Savings either sells the real property securing the loan at the foreclosure sale or sells the property as soon thereafter as practical. The collection procedures for Federal Housing Association (“FHA”) and Veterans’ Administration (“VA”) one to four-family mortgage loans follow the collection guidelines outlined by those agencies.

13


          The collection procedures for consumer, commercial, and other loans, include the sending of periodic late notices and letters to a borrower once a loan is past due. Rome Savings attempts to make direct contact with a borrower once a loan is 15 days past due. Rome Savings follows the same collection procedure as mortgages in an attempt to reach individuals by telephone and sending them letters and notices. Supervisory personnel in Rome Savings’ lending area and in its collection area review loans 30 days or more delinquent on a regular basis. If collection activity is unsuccessful after 120 days, Rome Savings may charge off a loan and/or refer the matter to its legal counsel for further collection effort. Loans deemed uncollectible by the Collection Department are proposed for charge-off. All loan charge-offs, regardless of amount, are to be approved by both the senior loan officer and the President of Rome Savings. Regardless of amount, all charge-offs are reported to the Board of Directors of Rome Savings at its next scheduled meeting.

          Rome Savings’ policies require that management continuously monitor the status of the loan portfolio and report to the Board of Directors on a monthly basis. These reports include information on delinquent loans and foreclosed real estate and Rome Savings’ actions and plans to cure the delinquent status of the loans and to dispose of the real estate.

          Non-Performing Assets. Non-performing assets totaled $1.1 million at both December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.

          The following table presents information regarding non-accrual mortgage and consumer and other loans, accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more, and foreclosed real estate as of the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Nonaccruing loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage loans

 

$

653

 

$

575

 

$

539

 

$

362

 

$

689

 

Commercial loans

 

 

271

 

 

423

 

 

216

 

 

268

 

 

513

 

Consumer loans

 

 

44

 

 

98

 

 

117

 

 

113

 

 

138

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

968

 

 

1,096

 

 

872

 

 

743

 

 

1,340

 

Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more

 

 

35

 

 

8

 

 

75

 

 

86

 

 

66

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total non-performing loans

 

 

1,003

 

 

1,104

 

 

947

 

 

829

 

 

1,406

 

Foreclosed real estate, net

 

 

97

 

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

202

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total non-performing assets

 

$

1,100

 

$

1,149

 

$

947

 

$

829

 

$

1,608

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Non-performing loans to total loans

 

 

0.35

%

 

0.42

%

 

0.37

%

 

0.36

%

 

0.67

%

Non-performing assets to total assets

 

 

0.35

%

 

0.38

%

 

0.31

%

 

0.31

%

 

0.61

%

          With the exception of first mortgage loans insured or guaranteed by the FHA or VA or for which the borrower has obtained private mortgage insurance, Rome Savings stops accruing income on loans when interest or principal payments are 90 days in arrears or earlier when the timely collectibility of such interest or principal is doubtful. Rome Savings designates loans on which it stops accruing income as non-accrual loans and it reverses outstanding interest that it previously credited. Rome Savings may recognize income in the period that it collects such income, when the ultimate collectibility of principal is no longer in doubt. Rome Savings returns a non-accrual loan to accrual status when factors indicating doubtful collection no longer exist. Rome Savings defines non-performing loans as loans that are both non-accruing and accruing loans whose payments are 90 days or more past due.

          We define the population for evaluation of impaired loans to be all non-accrual commercial real estate and commercial loans greater than $250,000. Impaired loans are individually assessed to determine whether a loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the collateral or the present value of the loan’s cash flows. Smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment, such as residential

14


mortgage loans and consumer loans, are specifically excluded from the impaired loan portfolio. The Company’s recorded investment in loans that are considered impaired totaled $180,000 and $318,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. If all non-accrual loans had been current in accordance with their terms during the year ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, interest income on such loans would have amounted to $78,000, $75,800 and $62,500, respectively. At December 31, 2007, Rome Savings had no loans which were considered to be a “troubled debt restructuring” as defined in SFAS No. 15.

          Allowance for Loan Losses. The following table sets forth activity in Rome Savings’ allowance for loan losses and other ratios at or for the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

1,965

 

$

1,960

 

$

2,000

 

$

1,809

 

$

1,730

 

Provision for loan losses

 

 

50

 

 

147

 

 

115

 

 

390

 

 

510

 

Charge-offs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage loans

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

18

 

 

47

 

 

160

 

Commercial loans

 

 

78

 

 

50

 

 

174

 

 

31

 

 

85

 

Consumer loans

 

 

155

 

 

303

 

 

495

 

 

306

 

 

295

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

233

 

 

372

 

 

687

 

 

384

 

 

540

 

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage loans

 

 

1

 

 

10

 

 

4

 

 

12

 

 

 

Commercial loans

 

 

21

 

 

79

 

 

419

 

 

36

 

 

3

 

Consumer loans

 

 

106

 

 

141

 

 

109

 

 

137

 

 

106

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

128

 

 

230

 

 

532

 

 

185

 

 

109

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Net charge-offs

 

 

105

 

 

142

 

 

155

 

 

199

 

 

431

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance at end of year

 

$

1,910

 

$

1,965

 

$

1,960

 

$

2,000

 

$

1,809

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the period

 

 

0.04

%

 

0.06

%

 

0.06

%

 

0.09

%

 

0.22

%

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of loans

 

 

0.68

%

 

0.74

%

 

0.77

%

 

0.86

%

 

0.86

%

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-performing loans

 

 

190.40

%

 

177.99

%

 

207.00

%

 

241.25

%

 

128.66

%

          The allowance for loan losses is a valuation account that reflects our evaluation of the losses inherent in our loan portfolio. We maintain the allowance through provisions for loan losses that we charge to income. We charge losses on loans against the allowance for loan losses when we believe the collection of loan principal is unlikely.

          Our evaluation of risk in maintaining the allowance for loan losses includes the review of all loans on which the collectibility of principal may not be reasonably assured. We consider the following factors as part of this evaluation: our historical loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio, the estimated value of the underlying collateral and current economic and market trends. There may be other factors that may warrant our consideration in maintaining an allowance at a level sufficient to provide for probable losses. Although we believe that we have established and maintained the allowance for loan losses at adequate levels, future additions may be necessary if economic and other conditions in the future differ substantially from the current operating environment.

          In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our loan and foreclosed real estate portfolios and the related allowance for loan losses and valuation allowance for foreclosed real estate. These agencies, including the OTS, may require us to increase the allowance for loan losses or

15


the valuation allowance for foreclosed real estate based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination, thereby adversely affecting our results of operations.

          For the year ended December 31, 2007, we increased our allowance for loan losses through a $50,000 provision for loan losses based on our evaluation of the items discussed above. We believe that the allowance for loan losses accurately reflects the level of risk in the loan portfolio. In addition to the non-performing loans, management has identified, through normal internal credit review procedures, $4.5 million in “potential problem loans” at December 31, 2007. Payments are current on $2.9 million or 64.28% of these loans. These problem loans are defined as loans not included as non-performing loans, but about which management has developed information regarding possible credit problems, which may cause the borrowers future difficulties in complying with loan repayments. Rome Savings will continue to be aggressive in identifying, monitoring and resolving potential problem loans. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 - Provision for Loan Losses” incorporated into this document by reference to the Annual Report attached hereto as Exhibit 13.1.

16


          The following table presents our allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan category and the percentage of loans in each category to total loans at the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Amount

 

Loans in
Each
Category to
Total Loans

 

Amount

 

Loans in
Each
Category to
Total Loans

 

Amount

 

Loans in
Each
Category to
Total Loans

 

Amount

 

Loans in
Each
Category to
Total Loans

 

Amount

 

Loans in
Each
Category to
Total Loans

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Mortgage loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One to four-family

 

$

141

 

 

52.91

%

$

117

 

 

51.06

%

$

129

 

 

49.79

%

$

236

 

 

48.93

%

$

192

 

 

45.94

%

Commercial real estate

 

 

618

 

 

17.60

 

 

721

 

 

20.60

 

 

664

 

 

20.78

 

 

828

 

 

21.16

 

 

702

 

 

23.98

 

Construction & land

 

 

0

 

 

1.86

 

 

0

 

 

0.97

 

 

0

 

 

1.31

 

 

0

 

 

2.34

 

 

0

 

 

2.00

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total mortgage loans

 

 

759

 

 

72.37

 

 

838

 

 

72.63

 

 

793

 

 

71.88

 

 

1,064

 

 

72.43

 

 

894

 

 

71.92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial loans

 

 

689

 

 

10.29

 

 

667

 

 

9.14

 

 

712

 

 

9.39

 

 

592

 

 

9.22

 

 

619

 

 

9.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer loans

 

 

462

 

 

17.34

 

 

460

 

 

18.23

 

 

455

 

 

18.73

 

 

344

 

 

18.35

 

 

296

 

 

18.93

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total allowance for loan losses

 

$

1,910

 

 

100.00

%

$

1,965

 

 

100.00

%

$

1,960

 

 

100.00

%

$

2,000

 

 

100.00

%

$

1,809

 

 

100.00

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

17


Investment Activities

          General. The Board of Directors reviews and approves our investment policy on an annual basis. The Board of Directors has delegated primary responsibility for ensuring that the guidelines in the investment policy are followed to the Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer. The Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer reports to the Asset Liability Management Committee and to the Executive Committee monthly.

          Our investment policy is designed primarily to manage the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities, to generate a favorable return without incurring undue interest rate and credit risk, to complement our lending activities and to provide and maintain liquidity within established guidelines. In establishing our investment strategies, we consider our interest rate sensitivity, the types of securities to be held, liquidity and other factors. Federal chartered savings banks have authority to invest in various types of assets, including U.S. Government obligations, securities of various federal agencies, obligations of states and municipalities, mortgage-backed securities, certain time deposits of insured banks and savings institutions, certain bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements, loans of federal funds, and, subject to certain limits, corporate debt and commercial paper.

          Rome Savings classifies securities as held to maturity or available for sale at the date of purchase. Held to maturity securities are reported at cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount. Available for sale securities are reported at fair market value. Rome Savings classifies U.S. Government securities and U.S. Government agency securities, as available for sale. These securities predominately have maturities of less than five years although Rome Savings also invests in adjustable rate U.S. Government agency securities with maturities up to 15 years. Rome Savings’ mortgage-backed securities, all of which are directly or indirectly insured or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) or Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), consist of both 30-year securities and seven-year balloon securities. The latter are so named because they mature (i.e., balloon) prior to completing their normal 30-year amortization. The 30-year mortgage-backed securities are classified as held to maturity while the seven-year balloon securities are classified as available for sale.

          Rome Savings also invests in privately insured state and municipal obligations with a maturity of fifteen years or less rated AAA by Moody’s, Standard & Poors, or Fitch. Rome Savings invests in these securities because of their favorable after tax yields in comparison to U.S. Government and U.S. Government Agency securities of comparable maturity. These securities are classified as available for sale. Rome Savings purchases A and AA rated corporate bonds, principally of financial institutions, as means of increasing yields on available for sale investments while minimizing risk. In the past three years, spreads to the comparable three to five year government agency securities, which Rome Savings had typically purchased, has been 15 - 97 basis points favoring these corporate bonds. Finally, Rome Savings and Rome Bancorp have investments in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock and other equity securities, which are classified as available for sale.

18


          The following table presents the composition of our securities portfolios in dollar amount and in percentage of each investment type at the dates indicated. It also presents the coupon type for the mortgage-backed securities portfolio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Held to Maturity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GNMA

 

$

14

 

$

15

 

$

28

 

$

29

 

$

48

 

$

51

 

FHLMC

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

2

 

 

2

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

U.S. Government securities

 

 

1,001

 

 

1,048

 

 

1,001

 

 

997

 

 

1,208

 

 

1,193

 

Other bonds

 

 

131

 

 

131

 

 

147

 

 

147

 

 

181

 

 

181

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total held to maturity

 

 

1,147

 

 

1,195

 

 

1,178

 

 

1,175

 

 

1,440

 

 

1,428

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government agencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

383

 

 

397

 

 

872

 

 

908

 

State and Municipal obligations

 

 

1,255

 

 

1,284

 

 

2,335

 

 

2,377

 

 

4,506

 

 

4,595

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FHLMC

 

 

259

 

 

261

 

 

336

 

 

339

 

 

570

 

 

583

 

FNMA

 

 

45

 

 

45

 

 

58

 

 

58

 

 

77

 

 

77

 

Corporate bonds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,008

 

 

2,017

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total available for sale debt securities

 

 

1,559

 

 

1,590

 

 

3,112

 

 

3,171

 

 

8,033

 

 

8,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

1,137

 

 

1,084

 

 

1,137

 

 

1,148

 

 

1,491

 

 

1,486

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total available for sale

 

 

2,696

 

 

2,674

 

 

4,249

 

 

4,319

 

 

9,524

 

 

9,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FHLB stock

 

 

2,344

 

 

2,344

 

 

1,344

 

 

1,344

 

 

776

 

 

776

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investment securities

 

$

6,187

 

$

6,213

 

$

6,771

 

$

6,838

 

$

11,740

 

$

11,870

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

19


          Carrying Values, Yields and Maturities. The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities, book value, market value and weighted average yields for Rome Savings’ debt securities at December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Year or Less

 

More Than One Year
less than Five Years

 

More Than Five Years
less than Ten Years

 

More Than Ten Years

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Yield

 

Carrying
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Yield

 

Carrying
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Yield

 

Carrying
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Yield

 

Carrying
Value

 

Weighted
Average
Yield

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State and municipal obligations (1)

 

$

650

 

6.87

%

$

333

 

6.81

%

$

301

 

6.90

%

 

 

 

$

1,284

 

6.86

%

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

222

 

5.68

%

 

84

 

5.69

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

306

 

5.68

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held to maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government securities

 

 

 

 

 

1,001

 

4.59

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,001

 

4.59

%

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

11.35

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

11.35

%

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

131

 

5.66

%

 

131

 

5.66

%

 

 



 


 



 


 



 


 



 


 



 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt securities

 

$

872

 

6.56

%

$

1,433

 

5.24

%

$

301

 

6.90

%

$

131

 

5.66

%

$

2,737

 

5.87

%

 

 



 


 



 


 



 


 



 


 



 


 


 

 


(1)

Yields are presented on a tax-equivalent basis.

20


Deposit Activity and Other Sources of Funds

          General. Deposits, borrowings, scheduled amortization and prepayments of loan principal, maturities and calls of investments securities and funds provided by operations are our primary sources of funds for use in lending, investing and for other general purposes. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Liquidity and Capital Resources” incorporated into this document by reference to the Annual Report attached as Exhibit 13.1.

          Deposits. We offer a variety of deposit accounts having a range of interest rates and terms. We currently offer regular savings deposits (consisting of passbook and statement savings accounts), interest-bearing demand accounts, non-interest-bearing demand accounts, money market accounts and time deposits.

          Deposit flows are influenced significantly by general and local economic conditions, changes in prevailing interest rates, pricing of deposits and competition. Our deposits are primarily obtained from areas surrounding our offices and we rely primarily on paying competitive rates, service and long-standing relationships with customers to attract and retain these deposits. We do not use brokers to obtain deposits.

          When we determine our deposit rates, we consider local competition, U.S. Treasury securities offerings and the rates charged on other sources of funds. Core deposits (defined as savings deposits, money market accounts and demand accounts) represented 63.9% and 66.1% of total deposits on December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, time deposits with remaining terms to maturity of less than one year amounted to $46.4 million and $43.9 million, respectively. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Analysis of Net Interest Income” for information relating to the average balances and costs of our deposit accounts for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.

          At December 31, 2007, we had $15.0 million in time deposits with balances of $100,000 or more maturing as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Maturity Period

 

Amount

 


 


 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Three months or less

 

$

3,619

 

Over three months through six months

 

 

2,083

 

Over six months through 12 months

 

 

3,104

 

Over 12 months

 

 

6,163

 

 

 



 

Total

 

$

14,969

 

 

 



 

          Borrowings. At December 31, 2007, we had outstanding borrowings of $40.3 million which were used to fund loan growth, purchase treasury stock and finance other investments. In the future, we expect to continue to utilize borrowings as a funding source and may borrow funds pursuant to repurchase agreements, whereby we sell an asset with an agreement to repurchase it at some future date. We are a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and have available a line of credit of $60.4 million, of which $37.4 million remained available at December 31, 2007.

Subsidiary Activities

          Rome Savings has four subsidiaries: 100 On the Mall Corporation, Clocktower Insurance Agency Incorporated, RSB Properties, Inc. and RSB Capital Inc. 100 On the Mall acts as a manager, and developer of real estate. Its only activity is ownership of Rome Savings’ main office building and premises. Clocktower Insurance owns real estate for future expansion, which is currently being leased to a Dunkin Donuts franchise adjacent to one of our branch offices. RSB Properties, Inc. is a real estate investment trust. RSB Capital, Inc. is currently inactive.

21


Employees

           At December 31, 2007, Rome Savings had 100 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees. Rome Savings’ employees are not represented by a collective bargaining agreement, and Rome Savings considers its relationship with its employees to be good.

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION.

General

           Rome Bancorp is regulated as a savings and loan holding company by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”). Rome Savings, as a federally-chartered savings bank, is subject to regulation, examination and supervision by the OTS, as its primary regulator, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), as its deposit insurer. Rome Savings must file reports with the OTS concerning its activities and financial condition. Rome Bancorp is also required to file reports with, and otherwise comply with, the rules and regulations of the OTS and of the SEC under the federal securities laws.

           The OTS and the FDIC have significant discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the Bank’s capital levels, classification of assets and establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. Any change in such policies, whether by the OTS, the FDIC, the SEC or the Congress, could have a material adverse impact on Rome Bancorp, Rome Savings, and their operations and stockholders.

Regulation of Federal Savings Associations

           Business Activities. Rome Savings derives its lending and investment powers from the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as amended (the “HOLA”), and OTS regulations. Under these laws and regulations, Rome Savings may invest in mortgage loans secured by residential and commercial real estate, commercial and consumer loans, certain types of debt securities, and certain other assets. Rome Savings may also establish service corporations that may engage in activities not otherwise permissible for Rome Savings, including certain real estate equity investments and securities and brokerage activities. Rome Savings’ authority to make certain types of loans or other investments is limited by federal law and regulation.

           Loans to One Borrower. Rome Savings is generally subject to the same limits on loans to one borrower as a national bank. With specified exceptions, Rome Savings’ total loans or extensions of credit to a single borrower cannot exceed 15% of Rome Savings’ unimpaired capital and surplus which does not include accumulated other comprehensive income. Rome Savings may lend additional amounts up to 10% of its unimpaired capital and surplus which does not include accumulated other comprehensive income, if the loans or extensions of credit are fully-secured by readily-marketable collateral. Rome Savings currently complies with applicable loans-to-one borrower limitations.

           QTL Test. Under federal law, Rome Savings must comply with the qualified thrift lender, or “QTL” test. Under the QTL test, Rome Savings is required to maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” in certain “qualified thrift investments” in at least nine months of the most recent 12-month period. “Portfolio assets” means, in general, Rome Savings’ total assets less the sum of:

 

 

 

 

specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets;

 

 

 

 

goodwill and other intangible assets; and

 

 

 

 

the value of property used to conduct Rome Savings’ business.

           Rome Savings may also satisfy the QTL test by qualifying as a A domestic building and loan association@ as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Rome Savings met the QTL test at December 31, 2007, and in

22


each of the prior 12 months, and therefore is a “qualified thrift lender.” If Rome Savings fails the QTL test, and is unable to correct that failure for a period of time, it must either operate under certain restrictions on its activities or convert to a bank charter.

          Capital Requirements. OTS regulations require savings associations to meet three minimum capital standards:

 

 

 

 

(1)

a tangible capital ratio requirement of 1.5% of total assets as adjusted under the OTS regulations;

 

 

 

 

(2)

a leverage ratio requirement of 3.0% of core capital to such adjusted total assets, if a savings association has been assigned the highest composite rating of 1 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System; and

 

 

 

 

(3)

a risk-based capital ratio requirement of 8.0% of core and supplementary capital to total risk-based assets, provided that the amount of supplementary capital used to satisfy this requirement shall not exceed the amount of core capital.

          The minimum leverage capital ratio for any other depository institution that does not have a composite rating of 1 will be 4%, unless a higher leverage capital ratio is warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profile of the depository institution. In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets for purposes of the risk-based capital requirement, a savings association must compute its risk-based assets by multiplying its assets and certain off-balance sheet items by risk-weights, which range from 0% for cash and obligations issued by the United States Government or its agencies and certain other assets to 100% for consumer, commercial, home equity and construction loans and certain other assets, as assigned by the OTS capital regulations based on the risks found by the OTS to be inherent in the type of asset.

          Tangible capital is defined, generally, as common stockholder’s equity (including retained earnings), certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related earnings, minority interests in equity accounts of fully consolidated subsidiaries, less intangible assets (other than certain servicing rights and nonsecurity financial instruments) and investments in and loans to subsidiaries engaged in activities not permissible for a national bank. Core capital (or tier 1 capital) is defined similarly to tangible capital, but core capital also includes certain qualifying supervisory goodwill and certain purchased credit card relationships. Supplementary capital (or tier 2 capital) includes cumulative and other preferred stock, mandatory convertible debt securities, subordinated debt and intermediate preferred stock and the allowance for loan and lease losses. In addition, up to 45% of unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities with a readily determinable fair value may be included in supplementary capital. The allowance for loan and lease losses includable in tier 2 capital is limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets.

          At December 31, 2007, Rome Savings met and exceeded each of its capital requirements. The table below presents Rome Savings’ regulatory capital as compared to the OTS regulatory capital requirements at December 31, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank

 

Capital Requirements

 

Excess Capital

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 


 

Tangible capital

 

$

64,315

 

$

9,534

 

$

54,781

 

Core capital

 

$

64,315

 

$

9,534

 

$

54,781

 

Risk-based capital

 

$

65,899

 

$

19,011

 

$

46,888

 

          Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), as implemented by OTS regulations, Rome Savings has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for Rome Savings nor does it limit Rome Savings’ discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited

23


to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. Rather, the CRA requires the OTS, in connection with its examination of a savings association, to assess the association’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such association. The CRA also requires all institutions to make public disclosure of their CRA ratings. Rome Savings received a “Satisfactory” CRA rating in its most recent examination.

          The CRA regulations rate an institution on its actual performance in meeting community needs. In particular, the assessment system focuses on three tests:

 

 

 

 

a lending test, to evaluate the institution’s record of making loans in its assessment areas;

 

 

 

 

an investment test, to evaluate the institution’s record of investing in community development projects, affordable housing, and programs benefiting low or moderate income individuals and businesses in its assessment area or a broader area that includes its assessment area; and

 

 

 

 

a service test, to evaluate the institution’s delivery of services through its retail banking channels and the extent and innovativeness of its community development services.

          Transactions with Affiliates. Rome Savings’ authority to engage in transactions with its “affiliates” is limited by the Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act (the “FRA”) and the Federal Reserve Board’s Regulation W, as made applicable to federal savings associations by the HOLA and the OTS regulations. In general, these transactions must be on terms which are as favorable to Rome Savings as comparable transactions with non-affiliates. In addition, certain types of these transactions referred to as “covered transaction” are subject to quantitative limits based on a percentage of Rome Savings’ capital, thereby restricting the total dollar amount of transactions Rome Savings may engage in with each individual affiliate and with all affiliates in the aggregate. Affiliates must pledge qualifying collateral in amounts between 100% and 130% of the covered transaction in order to receive loans from Rome Savings. In addition, applicable regulations prohibit a savings association from lending to any of its affiliates that engage in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and from purchasing low-quality (i.e., non-performing) assets from an affiliate or purchasing the securities of any affiliate, other than a subsidiary.

          Loans to Insiders. Rome Savings’ authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and principal shareholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the FRA and Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board, as made applicable to federal savings associations by the HOLA and the OTS regulations. Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to insiders:

 

 

 

 

be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with third parties and that do not involve more that the normal risk of repayment or present other features that are unfavorable to Rome Savings; and

 

 

 

 

not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of Rome Savings’ capital.

          In addition, extensions for credit in excess of certain limits must be approved by Rome Savings’ Board of Directors.

          Enforcement. The OTS has primary enforcement responsibility over savings associations, including Rome Savings. This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist orders and to remove directors and officers. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated in response to violations of laws and regulations and to unsafe or unsound practices.

          Standards for Safety and Soundness. Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the OTS has

24


adopted a set of guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards. These guidelines establish general standards relating to internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings standards, compensation, fees and benefits. In general, the guidelines require appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures specified in the guidelines.

          In addition, the OTS adopted regulations that authorize, but do not require, the OTS to order a savings association that has been given notice that it is not satisfying these safety and soundness standards to submit a compliance plan. If, after being notified, a savings association fails to submit an acceptable plan or fails in any material respect to implement an accepted plan, the OTS must issue an order directing action to correct the deficiency. Further, the OTS may issue an order directing corrective actions and may issue an order directing other actions of the types to which an undercapitalized association is subject under the “prompt corrective action” provisions of federal law. If a savings association fails to comply with such an order, the OTS may seek to enforce such order in judicial proceedings and to impose civil money penalties.

          Limitation on Capital Distributions. The OTS imposes various restrictions or requirements on Rome Savings’ ability to make capital distributions, including the payment of cash dividends. A savings association that is the subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company must file a notice with the OTS at least 30 days before making a capital distribution. Rome Savings must file an application for prior approval if the total amount of its capital distributions, including the proposed distribution, for the applicable calendar year would exceed an amount equal to Rome Savings’ net income for that year plus Rome Savings’ retained net income for the previous two years.

 

 

 

 

The OTS may disapprove a notice or application if:

 

 

 

 

Rome Savings would be undercapitalized following the distribution;

 

 

 

 

the proposed capital distribution raises safety and soundness concerns; or

 

 

 

 

the capital distribution would violate a prohibition contained in any statute, regulation or agreement.

          Liquidity. Rome Savings is required to maintain a sufficient amount of liquid assets to ensure its safe and sound operation.

          Prompt Corrective Action Regulations. Under the OTS prompt corrective action regulations, the OTS is required to take certain, and is authorized to take other, supervisory actions against undercapitalized savings associations. For this purpose, a savings association is placed in one of the following four categories based on the association’s capital:

 

 

 

 

well capitalized;

 

 

 

 

adequately capitalized;

 

 

 

 

undercapitalized; or

 

 

 

 

critically undercapitalized.

          At December 31, 2007, Rome Savings met the criteria for being considered “well-capitalized.” When appropriate, the OTS can require corrective action by a savings association holding company under the “prompt corrective action” provision of federal law.

          Insurance of Deposit Accounts. Rome Savings is a member of the Deposit Insurance Fund maintained by the FDIC, and Rome Savings pays its deposit insurance assessments to the Deposit Insurance Fund. The

25


Deposit Insurance Fund was formed on March 31, 2006, following the merger of the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 (“DIF Act”). In addition to merging the insurance funds, the DIF Act established a statutory minimum and maximum designated reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund and granted the FDIC greater flexibility in establishing the required reserve ratio. In its regulations implementing the DIF Act, the FDIC has set the current annual designated reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund at 1.25%.

          In order to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund, member institutions are assessed an insurance premium. The amount of each institution’s premium is currently based on the balance of insured deposits and the degree of risk the institution poses to the Deposit Insurance Fund. Under the assessment system, the FDIC assigns an institution to one of nine risk categories using a two-step process based first on capital ratios (the capital group assignment) and then on other relevant information (the supervisory subgroup assignment). Each risk category is assigned an assessment rate. Assessment rates currently range from 0% of deposits for an institution in the highest category (i.e., well-capitalized and financially sound, with no more than a few minor weaknesses) to 0.43% of deposits for an institution in the lowest category (i.e., undercapitalized and substantial supervisory concerns). The FDIC is authorized to raise the assessment rates as necessary to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund. The Bank’s assessment rate at December 31, 2007 was 0%. Any increase in insurance assessments could have an adverse effect on the earnings of insured institutions, including the Bank.

          In addition, all FDIC-insured institutions are required to pay a pro rata portion of the interest due on obligations issued by the Financing Corporation to fund the closing and disposal of failed thrift institutions by the Resolution Trust Corporation. At December 31, 2007, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assessed Deposit Insurance Fund-insured deposits 1.14 basis points per $100 of deposits to cover those obligations. The Financing Corporation rate is adjusted quarterly to reflect changes in assessment bases of the Deposit Insurance Fund. This obligation will continue until the Financing Corporation bonds mature in 2017.

          Federal Home Loan Bank System. Rome Savings is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (the “FHLB”) of New York, which is one of the regional FHLBs composing the FHLB System. Each FHLB provides a central credit facility primarily for its member institutions. Rome Savings, as a member of the FHLB of New York, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB of New York. While the required percentages of stock ownership are subject to change by the FHLB, Rome Savings was in compliance with this requirement with an investment in FHLB of New York stock at December 31, 2007 of $2.3 million. Any advances from a FHLB must be secured by specified types of collateral, and all long-term advances may be obtained only for the purpose of providing funds for residential housing finance.

          The FHLBs are required to provide funds for the resolution of insolvent thrifts and to contribute funds for affordable housing programs. These requirements could reduce the amount of earnings that the FHLBs can pay as dividends to their members and could also result in the FHLBs imposing a higher rate of interest on advances to their members. If dividends were reduced, or interest on future FHLB advances increased, Rome Savings’ net interest income would be affected.

          Federal Reserve System. Under regulations of the FRB, Rome Savings is required to maintain noninterest-earning reserves against its transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The FRB regulations exempt $8.5 million of otherwise reservable balances from the reserve requirements. A 3% reserve is required for transaction account balances over $8.5 million and up to $45.8 million. Transaction account balances over $45.8 million are subject to a reserve requirement of $1,119,000 plus 10% of any amount over $45.8 million. Rome Savings is in compliance with the foregoing reserve requirements. Because required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash, a noninterest-bearing account at a Federal Reserve Bank, or a pass-through account as defined by the FRB, the effect of this reserve requirement is to reduce the Bank’s interest-earning assets. The balances maintained to meet the reserve requirements imposed by the FRB may be used to satisfy liquidity requirements imposed by the OTS. FHLB System members are also authorized to borrow from the Federal Reserve discount window, but FRB regulations require such institutions to exhaust all FHLB sources before borrowing from a Federal Reserve Bank.

26


          Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements. Federal savings associations are subject to prohibitions on certain tying arrangements. A depository institution is prohibited, subject to certain exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional product or service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution.

          The Bank Secrecy Act. Rome Savings and Rome Bancorp are subject to the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act, which gives the federal government powers to address money laundering and terrorist threats through enhanced domestic security measures, expanded surveillance powers, and mandatory transaction reporting obligations. By way of example, the Bank Secrecy Act imposes an affirmative obligation on Rome Savings to report currency transactions that exceed certain thresholds and to report other transactions determined to be suspicious.

          Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act takes measures intended to encourage information sharing among financial institutions, bank regulatory agencies and law enforcement bodies. Further, certain provisions of Title III impose affirmative obligations on a broad range of financial institutions, including banks, thrifts, brokers, dealers, credit unions, money transfer agents and parties registered under the Commodity Exchange Act. Among other requirements, the USA PATRIOT Act imposes the following obligations on financial institutions:

 

 

 

 

financial institutions must establish anti-money laundering programs that include, at minimum: (i) internal policies, procedures, and controls, (ii) specific designation of an anti-money laundering compliance officer, (iii) ongoing employee training programs, and (iv) an independent audit function to test the anti-money laundering program;

 

 

 

 

financial institutions must establish and meet minimum standards for customer due diligence, identification and verification;

 

 

 

 

financial institutions that establish, maintain, administer, or manage private banking accounts or correspondent accounts in the United States for non-United States persons or their representatives (including foreign individuals visiting the United States) must establish appropriate, specific, and, where necessary, enhanced due diligence policies, procedures, and controls designed to detect and report money laundering through those accounts;

 

 

 

 

financial institutions are prohibited from establishing, maintaining, administering or managing correspondent accounts for foreign shell banks (foreign banks that do not have a physical presence in any country), and are subject to certain recordkeeping obligations with respect to correspondent accounts of foreign banks; and

 

 

 

 

bank regulators are directed to consider a bank’s or holding company’s effectiveness in combating money laundering when ruling on Federal Reserve Act and Bank Merger Act applications.

          Office of Foreign Asset Control. Rome Savings and Rome Bancorp, like all United States companies and individuals, are prohibited from transacting business with certain individuals and entities named on the Office of Foreign Asset Control’s list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. Failure to comply may result in fines and other penalties. The Office of Foreign Asset Control issued guidance directed at financial institutions in which it asserted that it may, in its discretion, examine institutions determined to be high-risk or to be lacking in their efforts to comply with these prohibitions.

Regulation of Savings and Loan Holding Companies

          Rome Bancorp is a savings and loan holding company regulated by the OTS. As such, Rome Bancorp is registered with and subject to OTS examination and supervision, as well as certain reporting requirements. In addition, the OTS has enforcement authority over Rome Bancorp and any of its non-savings association

27


subsidiaries. Among other things, this authority permits the OTS to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of a subsidiary savings association. Unlike bank holding companies, federal savings and loan holding companies are not subject to any regulatory capital requirements or to supervision by the FRB.

          The HOLA prohibits a savings and loan holding company, directly or indirectly, or through one or more subsidiaries, from acquiring control (as defined under the HOLA) of another savings association without prior OTS approval. In addition, a savings and loan holding company is prohibited from directly or indirectly acquiring (i) through mergers, consolidation or purchase of assets, another savings association or a holding company thereof, or acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of such association or company without prior OTS approval; and (ii) control of any depository institution not insured by the FDIC (except through a merger with and into the holding company’s savings institution association that is approved by the OTS).

          A savings and loan holding company may not acquire as a separate subsidiary a savings association that has a principal office outside of the state where the principal office of its subsidiary savings association is located, except (i) in the case of certain emergency acquisitions approved by the FDIC; (ii) if such holding company controls a subsidiary savings association that operated a home or branch office in such additional state as of March 5, 1987; or (iii) if the laws of the home state of the savings association to be acquired specifically authorize a savings institution chartered by that state to be acquired by a savings institution chartered by the state where the acquiring savings institution or savings and loan holding company is located or by a holding company that controls such a state chartered association.

          Because Rome Bancorp was organized after May 4, 1999, under the Gramm Leach Bliley Act of 1999 (the “GLB Act”) it is prohibited from engaging in non-financial activities. Unitary savings and loan holding companies that existed before this date and that have not undergone certain reorganization or restructuring transactions are “grandfathered” under the GLB Act and generally have no restrictions on their business activities. Rome Bancorp’s activities, however, are restricted to:

 

 

furnishing or performing management services for its savings institution subsidiary;

 

 

conducting an insurance agency or escrow business;

 

 

holding, managing or liquidating assets owned or acquired from its savings institution subsidiary;

 

 

holding or managing properties used or occupied by its savings institution subsidiary;

 

 

acting as trustee under a deed of trust;

 

 

any other activity (a) that the FRB, by regulation, has determined to be permissible for bank holding companies under Section 4(c) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (“BHCA”), unless the Director of the OTS, by regulation, prohibits or limits any such activity for savings and loan holding companies, or (b) in which multiple savings and loan holding companies were authorized by regulation to directly engage on March 5, 1987;

 

 

purchasing, holding or disposing of stock acquired in connection with a qualified stock issuance if the purchase of such stock is approved by the Director of the OTS; and

 

 

any activity permissible for financial holding companies under section 4(k) of the BHCA.

          Permissible activities which are deemed to be financial in nature or incidental thereto under section 4(k) of the BHCA include:

 

 

lending, exchanging, transferring, investing for others or safeguarding money or securities;

28


 

 

insurance activities or providing and issuing annuities, and acting as principal, agent or broker;

 

 

financial, investment or economic advisory services;

 

 

issuing or selling instruments representing interests in pools of assets that a bank is permitted to hold directly;

 

 

underwriting, dealing in or making a market in securities;

 

 

activities previously determined by the FRB to be closely related to banking;

 

 

activities that bank holding companies are permitted to engage in outside of the U.S.; and

 

 

portfolio investments made by an insurance company.

          Transactions between the Rome Savings and Rome Bancorp and its other subsidiaries are subject to various conditions and limitations. See “Regulation of Federal Savings Associations - Transactions with Affiliates” and “Regulation of Federal Savings Associations - Limitation on Capital Distributions.”

          The Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As a public company, Rome Bancorp is subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which implements a broad range of corporate governance and accounting measures for public companies designed to promote honesty and transparency in corporate America and better protect investors from corporate wrongdoing. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act's principal legislation and the derivative regulation and rule making promulgated by the SEC includes:

 

 

the creation of an independent accounting oversight board;

 

 

auditor independence provisions which restrict non-audit services that accountants may provide to their audit clients;

 

 

additional corporate governance and responsibility measures, including the requirement that the chief executive officer and chief financial officer certify financial statements;

 

 

a requirement that companies establish and maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting and that a company’s management provide an annual report regarding its assessment of the effectiveness of such internal control over financial reporting to the company’s independent accountants and that such accountants provide an attestation report with respect to management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

 

the forfeiture of bonuses or other incentive-based compensation and profits from the sale of an issuer’s securities by directors and senior officers in the twelve month period following initial publication of any financial statements that later require restatement;

 

 

an increase in the oversight of, and enhancement of certain requirements relating to audit committees of public companies and how they interact with the company’s independent auditors;

 

 

requirement that audit committee members must be independent and are absolutely barred from accepting consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees from the issuer;

 

 

requirement that companies disclose whether at least one member of the committee is a “financial expert” (as such term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) and if not, why not;

 

 

expanded disclosure requirements for corporate insiders, including accelerated reporting of stock

29


 

 

 

transactions by insiders and a prohibition on insider trading during pension blackout periods;

 

 

a prohibition on personal loans to directors and officers, except certain loans made by insured financial institutions;

 

 

disclosure of a code of ethics and filing a Form 8-K for a change or waiver of such code;

 

 

mandatory disclosure by analysts of potential conflicts of interest; and

 

 

a range of enhanced penalties for fraud and other violations.

          Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 prohibits the extension of personal loans to directors and executive officers of issuers. The prohibition, however, does not apply to mortgages advanced by an insured depository institution, such as Rome Savings, that are subject to the insider lending restrictions of Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act.

          Although Rome Bancorp anticipates that it will incur additional expense in complying with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the resulting regulations, management does not expect that such compliance will have a material impact on its results of operations or financial condition.

          Federal Securities Laws. Rome Bancorp’s common stock is registered with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Rome Bancorp is subject to information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the Exchange Act.

          Quotation on Nasdaq. Rome Bancorp’s common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq Global Market. In order to maintain such quotation, Rome Bancorp is subject to certain corporate governance requirements, including:

 

 

a majority of its board must be composed of independent directors;

 

 

it is required to have an audit committee composed of at least three directors, each of whom is an independent director, as such term is defined by the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) and by the Exchange Act regulations;

 

 

its nominating committee and compensation committee must also be composed entirely of independent directors; and

 

 

each of the audit committee, and nominating committee must have a publicly available written charter.


 

 

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

          Our loan portfolio includes loans with a higher risk of loss. Rome Savings originates commercial mortgage loans, commercial loans, consumer loans and residential mortgage loans primarily within its market area, although a number of loans are in other states. Commercial mortgage, commercial, and consumer loans may expose a lender to greater credit risk than loans secured by residential real estate because the collateral securing these loans may not be sold as easily as residential real estate. These loans also have greater credit risk than residential real estate for the following reasons:

 

 

Commercial Mortgage Loans. Repayment is dependent upon income being generated in amounts sufficient to cover operating expenses and debt service.

Commercial Loans. Repayment is generally dependent upon the successful operation of the borrower’s business.

30


 

 

Consumer Loans. Consumer loans (such as personal lines of credit) are collateralized, if at all, with assets that may not provide an adequate source of payment of the loan due to depreciation, damage, or loss.

          If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings could decrease. Our loan customers may not repay their loans according to the terms of the loans, and the collateral securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient to pay any remaining loan balance. We therefore may experience significant loan losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

          Material additions to our allowance also would materially decrease our net income, and the charge-off of loans may cause us to increase the allowance. We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectibility of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. We rely on our loan quality reviews, our experience and our evaluation of economic conditions, among other factors, in determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses. If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, resulting in additions to our allowance.

          Our emphasis on a diverse loan portfolio has been one of the more significant factors we have taken into account in evaluating our allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses. If we were to further increase the amount of loans in our portfolio other than traditional real estate loans, we may decide to make increased provisions for loan losses. In addition, bank regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs.

          Our return on equity is low compared to other companies. Net earnings divided by average equity, known as “return on equity,” is a ratio many investors use to compare the performance of a financial institution to its peers. Our return on average equity amounted to 4.14% and 2.91% in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

          Because Rome Savings’ loans are concentrated in a small geographical area, downturns in its local economy may affect its profitability and future growth possibilities. In recent years, Oneida County has experienced a negative population growth rate. While the local economy has been improving in recent years, it has not enjoyed the rate of economic growth experienced in other parts of the United States. In the event of an economic downturn, we may have greater risk of loan defaults and experience deposit runoff in our primary market area, which could have an adverse impact on our profitability.

          Low demand for real estate loans may lower our profitability. Making loans secured by real estate, including one-to-four family and commercial real estate, is our primary business and primary source of revenue. If customer demand for real estate loans decreases, our profits may decrease because our alternative investments, primarily securities, earn less income for us than real estate loans. Customer demand for loans secured by real estate could be reduced by a weaker economy, an increase in unemployment, a decrease in real estate values or an increase in interest rates.

          We depend on our executive officers and key personnel to implement our business strategy and could be harmed by the loss of their services. We believe that our growth and future success will depend in large part upon the skills of our management team, particularly Charles M. Sprock, our President and Chief Executive Officer. The competition for qualified personnel in the financial services industry is intense, and the loss of our key personnel or an inability to continue to attract, retain and motivate key personnel could adversely affect our business. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our existing key personnel or attract additional qualified personnel. Although we have an employment agreement with our President and Chief Executive Officer that contains a non-compete provision, the loss of the services of one or more of our executive officers could impair our ability to continue to develop our business strategy.

          If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our stock. Effective internal

31


controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our operating results could be harmed. We devote significant attention to establishing and maintaining effective internal controls. We document, review and, if appropriate, improve our internal controls and procedures in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. Both we and our independent registered public accounting firm test our internal controls in connection with the Section 404 requirements and could identify areas for further attention or improvement. Implementing any appropriate changes to our internal controls may require specific compliance training of our directors, officers and employees, entail substantial costs in order to modify our existing accounting systems, and take a significant period of time to complete. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Any such failure could also adversely affect our assessment of the effectiveness of our “internal control over financial reporting.” Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the market price of our stock.

          We operate in a highly regulated environment and we may be adversely affected by changes in laws and regulations. We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the OTS and by the FDIC, as insurer of deposits. Such regulation and supervision governs the activities in which Rome Savings and we may engage and are intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and deposits of Rome Savings. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on the operation of Rome Savings, the classification of its assets and the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, or legislation, including changes in the regulations governing holding companies, could have a material impact on the combined operations of us and Rome Savings.

          Competition in our primary market area may reduce our ability to attract and retain deposits and obtain loans. We operate in a competitive market for both attracting deposits, which is our primary source of funds, and originating loans. Historically, our most direct competition for savings deposits has come from credit unions, community banks, large commercial banks and thrift institutions in our primary market area. Particularly in times of extremely low or extremely high interest rates, we have faced additional significant competition for investors’ funds from brokerage firms and other firms’ short-term money market securities and corporate and government securities. Our competition for loans comes principally from mortgage bankers, commercial banks, other thrift institutions, and insurance companies. Such competition for the origination of loans may limit our future growth and earnings prospects. Competition for loan originations and deposits may limit our future growth and earnings prospects.

          Changes in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Our results of operations and financial condition are significantly affected by changes in interest rates. Our results of operations depend substantially on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on our interest-earning assets and the interest expense paid on our interest-bearing liabilities. Increases in interest rates may decrease loan demand and make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable rate loans.

          We also are subject to reinvestment risk associated with changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates may affect the average life of loans and mortgage-related securities. Decreases in interest rates can result in increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-related securities, as borrowers refinance to reduce borrowing costs. Under these circumstances, we are subject to reinvestment risk to the extent that we are unable to reinvest the cash received from such prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates on existing loans and securities.

32


          Our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and certain laws and regulations may prevent transactions you might favor, including a sale or merger of Rome Bancorp. Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, federal regulations and various other factors may make it more difficult for companies or persons to acquire control of us without the consent of our Board of Directors. It is possible, however, that you would want a takeover attempt to succeed because, for example, a potential buyer could offer a premium over the then prevailing price of our common stock. The factors that may discourage takeover attempts or make them more difficult include:

 

 

 

 

 

Office of Thrift Supervision regulations. OTS regulations prohibit, for three years following the completion of a mutual-to-stock conversion, the offer to acquire or the acquisition of more than 10% of any class of equity security of a converted institution without the prior approval of the OTS. In addition, the OTS has required, as a condition to approval of the conversion, that Rome Savings maintain a federal thrift charter for a period of three years.

 

 

 

 

 

Certificate of incorporation and statutory provisions. Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and of Delaware law may make it more difficult and expensive to pursue a takeover attempt that management opposes. These provisions also make more difficult the removal of our current directors or management, or the election of new directors. These provisions include:

 

 

 

 

 

 

§

limitations on voting rights of the beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock;

 

 

 

 

 

 

§

supermajority voting requirements for certain business combinations and changes to some provisions of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws;

 

 

 

 

 

 

§

the election of directors to staggered terms of three years; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

§

provisions regarding the timing and content of stockholder proposals and nominations.


 

 

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

          None.

 

 

ITEM 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY

          We conduct our business through our executive office, operations center, which includes both the Mortgage Center and the Accounting Center listed below, and four banking offices. In addition, we have purchased land in Oneida, New York for potential expansion into that market. At December 31, 2007, the net book value of the computer equipment and other furniture, fixtures and equipment of Rome Savings and Rome Bancorp at their offices totaled $1,191,000. For more information, see Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, in the Annual Report attached as Exhibit 13.1.

33



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location

 

Leased or
Owned

 

Original Date
Acquired

 

Net Book Value
December 31, 2007


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

Executive Office:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100 West Dominick St.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rome, NY

 

Owned

 

1956

 

$1,145

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Branch Offices:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1629 Black River Boulevard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rome, NY

 

Owned

 

1963

 

217

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1300 Erie Boulevard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rome, NY

 

Owned

 

1997

 

983

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

82 Seneca Turnpike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Hartford, NY

 

Owned

 

1983

 

95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rt. 26 and Elmer Hill Rd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lee, NY

 

Owned

 

2006

 

1,694

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage Center:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

137 West Dominick Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rome, NY

 

Owned

 

2002

 

435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounting Center:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

139 West Dominick Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rome, NY

 

Owned

 

1995

 

345

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undeveloped Land:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oneida, NY

 

Owned

 

2006

 

463

 


 

 

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

          As of the date of this Form 10-K, we are not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business. We believe that these routine legal proceedings, in the aggregate, are immaterial to our financial condition and results of operations.

 

 

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

          None.

PART II

 

 

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR ROME BANCORP’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

          The following information included in the Annual Report attached hereto as Exhibit 13.1 is incorporated herein by reference: “Market for the Company’s Common Stock.”

 

 

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

          The following information included in Annual Report attached hereto as Exhibit 13.1 is incorporated herein by reference: “Selected Financial and Other Data.”

34



 

 

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

          The following information included in the Annual Report attached hereto as Exhibit 13.1 is incorporated herein by reference: “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

 

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

          The following information included in the Annual Report attached hereto as Exhibit 13.1 is incorporated herein by reference: “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Management of Interest Rate Risk.”

 

 

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

          The following information included in the Annual Report attached hereto as Exhibit 13.1 is incorporated herein by reference: “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting,” “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statements,” “Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

 

ITEM 9.

CHANGES AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

          None.

 

 

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

          Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

          Management, including the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files and submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

          Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting appears in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2007, which is included as Exhibit 13.1 of this report, and is incorporated herein by reference.

          The attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting appears in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2007, which is included as Exhibit 13.1 of this report, and is incorporated herein by reference.

          There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

35



 

 

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

          None.

PART III

 

 

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

          The following information included in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference: “Proposal 1- Election of Directors” and the following subsections of the section entitled “Information About Our Board of Directors and Management:” “Board of Directors,” “Committees of the Board,” “Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.”

Code of Ethics

          Rome Bancorp has adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics, which applies to all employees, directors and officers of Rome Bancorp including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Conduct and Ethics meets the requirements of a “code of ethics” as defined by Item 406 of Regulation S-K. The Code of Conduct and Ethics was filed as Exhibit 14.1 to the Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2003, and has not changed.

          You may obtain a copy of the Code of Conduct and Ethics, free of charge, by sending a request in writing to Crystal M. Seymore at the following address:

Crystal M. Seymore, Secretary
Rome Bancorp, Inc.
100 W. Dominick Street
Rome, New York 13440-5810

 

 

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

          The information included in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference: “Compensation.”

 

 

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

          The following section included in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference: “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

36


          The following table sets forth the aggregate information of our equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan category

 

Number of securities
to be issued
upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
1

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

 

359,446

 

$

12.68

 

 

490,061

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

359,446

 

$

12.68

 

 

490,061

 

 

 



 



 



 


 

 


(1)

The number of securities remaining for future issuance under equity compensation plans includes: 136,061 shares available for issuance under the 2000 Stock Option Plan, 236,000 shares available for issuance under the 2006 Stock Option Plan and 118,000 shares available for issuance under the 2006 Recognition and Retention Plan


 

 

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

          The following information included in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference: “Transactions with Certain Related Persons.”

 

 

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

          The following information included in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference: “Principal Accounting Fees and Services” and “Audit Committee Preapproval Policy.”

PART IV

 

 

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(a) The following financial statements included in the Annual Report attached hereto as Exhibit 13.1 are incorporated herein by reference:

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Accounting Firm on Financial Statements

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets - At December 31, 2007 and 2006;

 

Consolidated Statements of Income - Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005;

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income - Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005;

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005; and

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

(b) The following exhibits are either filed as part of this report or are incorporated herein by reference:

37


 

 

 

2.1

 

Amended and Restated Plan of Conversion and Agreement and Plan of Reorganization. (1)

3.1

 

Certificate of Incorporation of New Rome Bancorp, Inc. (1)

3.2

 

Bylaws of New Rome Bancorp, Inc. (1)

4.1

 

Form of Stock Certificate of New Rome Bancorp, Inc. (1)

10.1

 

Form of Employee Stock Ownership Plan of Rome Bancorp, Inc. (2)

10.2

 

Amendment No. 1 to Employee Stock Ownership Plan of Rome Bancorp, Inc. (1)

10.3

 

Amendment No. 2 to Employee Stock Ownership Plan of Rome Bancorp, Inc. (1)

10.4

 

Form of Executive Employment Agreement by and between Charles M. Sprock and Rome Bancorp, Inc. (2)

10.5

 

Amended and restated form of One Year Change in Control Agreement by and among certain officers and Rome Bancorp, Inc. and The Rome Savings Bank. (8)

10.6

 

Amended and restated form of Employment Agreement between New Rome Bancorp, Inc. and Charles M. Sprock. (8)

10.7

 

Amended and Restated form of Employment Agreement between The Rome Savings Bank and Charles M. Sprock. (8)

10.8

 

Rome Bancorp, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan. (3)

10.9

 

Rome Bancorp, Inc. 2000 Recognition and Retention Plan. (3)

10.10

 

Amended and Restated Benefit Restoration Plan of Rome Bancorp, Inc. (4)

10.11

 

Amended and Restated Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan of Rome Bancorp, Inc. (4)

10.12

 

Loan Agreement by and between the Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust of Rome Bancorp, Inc. and Rome Bancorp, Inc. (5)

10.13

 

Amendment No. 3 to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan of Rome Bancorp, Inc. (6)

10.14

 

Rome Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Stock Option Plan. (7)

10.15

 

Rome Bancorp, inc. 2006 Recognition and Retention Plan. (7)

13.1

 

Annual Report to Shareholders for the Year Ended December 31, 2007.

14.1

 

Code of Conduct and Ethics. (7)

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of the Company. (1)

23.1

 

Consent of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC.

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14a/15d-14a Certifications

32.1

 

Section 1350 Certifications


 

 

(1)

Incorporated by reference to Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-121245), filed with the Commission on December 14, 2004, as amended.

(2)

Incorporated by reference to Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s Form SB-2 (Registration No. 333-80487), filed with the Commission on June 11, 1999, as amended.

(3)

Incorporated by reference to Rome Bancorp, Inc’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the Commission on April 5, 2000 and amended on April 2, 2001.

(4)

Incorporated by reference to Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 27, 2005.

(5)

Incorporated by reference to Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 29, 2005.

(6)

Incorporated by reference to Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 29, 2005.

(7)

Incorporated by reference to Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s Form S-8 filed with the commission on May 19, 2006, as amended.

(8)

Incorporated by reference to Rome Bancorp Inc.’s Form 8-K filed with the commission on December 3, 2007.

38


SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

ROME BANCORP, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/Charles M. Sprock

 

 


 

President, Chairman of the Board and

 

Chief Executive Officer

          Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Title

 

Date


 


 


 

/s/Charles M. Sprock

 

Chairman of the Board,

 

March 7, 2008


 

President and Chief

 

 

Charles M. Sprock

 

Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/David C. Nolan

 

Executive Vice-President and Chief

 

March 7, 2008


 

Financial Officer

 

 

David C. Nolan

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Bruce R. Engelbert

 

Director

 

March 7, 2008


 

 

 

 

Bruce R. Engelbert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/David C. Grow

 

Director

 

March 7, 2008


 

 

 

 

David C. Grow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Kirk B. Hinman

 

Director

 

March 7, 2008


 

 

 

 

Kirk B. Hinman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Michael J. Valentine

 

Director

 

March 7, 2008


 

 

 

 

Michael J. Valentine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Dale A. Laval

 

Director

 

March 7, 2008


 

 

 

 

Dale A. Laval

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/John A. Reinhardt

 

Director

 

March 7, 2008


 

 

 

 

John A. Reinhardt

 

 

 

 

39


EX-13.1 2 c52661_ex13-1.htm

EXHIBIT 13.1

The summary information presented below at or for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2007 is derived in part from and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included with this Annual Report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

Selected Financial Condition Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

318,131

 

$

298,759

 

$

308,853

 

$

268,152

 

$

261,939

 

Loans, net

 

 

281,042

 

 

262,572

 

 

251,918

 

 

231,272

 

 

207,656

 

Securities

 

 

6,165

 

 

6,841

 

 

11,882

 

 

19,117

 

 

29,118

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

 

8,018

 

 

7,858

 

 

34,235

 

 

6,929

 

 

14,055

 

Total deposits

 

 

203,032

 

 

196,005

 

 

201,468

 

 

208,787

 

 

203,190

 

Borrowings

 

 

40,333

 

 

20,172

 

 

9,374

 

 

18,843

 

 

18,090

 

Total equity

 

 

69,037

 

 

77,031

 

 

93,478

 

 

36,258

 

 

36,639

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

 

1,910

 

 

1,965

 

 

1,960

 

 

2,000

 

 

1,809

 

Non-performing loans

 

 

1,003

 

 

1,104

 

 

947

 

 

829

 

 

1,406

 

Non-performing assets

 

 

1,100

 

 

1,149

 

 

947

 

 

829

 

 

1,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

Selected Operating Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

17,919

 

$

17,457

 

$

16,535

 

$

14,498

 

$

14,810

 

Interest expense

 

 

4,798

 

 

3,521

 

 

3,036

 

 

3,042

 

 

3,614

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Net interest income

 

 

13,121

 

 

13,936

 

 

13,499

 

 

11,456

 

 

11,196

 

Provision for loan losses

 

 

50

 

 

147

 

 

115

 

 

390

 

 

510

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

 

13,071

 

 

13,789

 

 

13,384

 

 

11,066

 

 

10,686

 

Non-interest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service charges and other income

 

 

2,152

 

 

1,885

 

 

1,921

 

 

1,596

 

 

1,165

 

Net gain (loss) on securities transactions

 

 

11

 

 

11

 

 

105

 

 

176

 

 

(693

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total non-interest income

 

 

2,163

 

 

1,896

 

 

2,026

 

 

1,772

 

 

472

 

Total non-interest expense

 

 

10,572

 

 

11,859

 

 

9,977

 

 

9,102

 

 

8,835

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Income before income taxes

 

 

4,662

 

 

3,826

 

 

5,433

 

 

3,736

 

 

2,323

 

Income taxes

 

 

1,608

 

 

1,338

 

 

2,031

 

 

1,336

 

 

786

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

$

3,054

 

$

2,488

 

$

3,402

 

$

2,400

 

$

1,537

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At or for the
Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.26

 

$

0.16

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.16

 

Return on average assets

 

 

1.00

%

 

0.83

%

 

1.13

%

 

0.91

%

 

0.59

%

Return on average equity

 

 

4.14

%

 

2.91

%

 

4.29

%

 

6.67

%

 

4.16

%

Net interest rate spread (tax equivalent)

 

 

4.06

%

 

4.37

%

 

4.27

%

 

4.41

%

 

4.27

%

Net interest margin (tax equivalent)

 

 

4.74

%

 

5.04

%

 

4.80

%

 

4.73

%

 

4.70

%

Non-interest expense to average assets

 

 

3.45

%

 

3.94

%

 

3.31

%

 

3.45

%

 

3.42

%

Efficiency ratio (1)

 

 

68.99

%

 

74.59

%

 

64.09

%

 

68.72

%

 

70.22

%

Average interest earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

139.84

%

 

152.72

%

 

149.44

%

 

125.61

%

 

128.15

%

 

Capital Ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average equity to average assets

 

 

24.09

%

 

28.46

%

 

26.27

%

 

13.63

%

 

14.29

%

Equity to total assets at end of period

 

 

21.70

%

 

25.78

%

 

30.27

%

 

13.52

%

 

13.99

%

Book value per share

 

$

8.86

 

$

9.10

 

$

9.66

 

$

8.57

 

$

8.55

 

 

Regulatory Capital Ratios: (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core capital (Tier 1 capital)

 

 

20.24

%

 

21.27

%

 

18.96

%

 

11.03

%

 

13.68

%

Total risk-based capital

 

 

27.73

%

 

28.90

%

 

28.04

%

 

15.36

%

 

19.19

%

 

Asset Quality Ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonperforming loans as percent of loans

 

 

0.35

%

 

0.42

%

 

0.37

%

 

0.36

%

 

0.67

%

Nonperforming assets as percent of total assets

 

 

0.35

%

 

0.38

%

 

0.31

%

 

0.31

%

 

0.61

%

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of loans

 

 

0.68

%

 

0.74

%

 

0.77

%

 

0.86

%

 

0.86

%

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-performing loans

 

 

190.4

%

 

178.0

%

 

207.0

%

 

241.3

%

 

128.7

%

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposit accounts

 

 

35,484

 

 

34,881

 

 

34,864

 

 

35,136

 

 

34,443

 

Full service offices

 

 

5

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

 

4

 


 

 

 

Note:

All per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s second step stock conversion effective March 30, 2005 as well as a three-for-two stock split effective June 16, 2003.

 

 

 

(1)

Non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income, the tax equivalent adjustment on tax-exempt municipal securities and other non-interest income.

 

 

 

(2)

The regulatory capital ratios for the year ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 are for Rome Savings Bank only; the regulatory capital ratios for all other periods are for Rome Savings Bank and Rome Bancorp, Inc. on a consolidated basis. Due to Rome Savings Bank’s conversion to a federal savings bank on April 27, 2004, Rome Bancorp, Inc. is no longer subject to formula based capital requirements at a holding company level.



MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” which may be identified by the use of such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential.” Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to our financial condition and results of operation and business that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates including, but not limited to, changes in the real estate market or local economy, changes in interest rates, changes in laws and regulations to which we are subject, and competition in our primary market area.

Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this Annual Report and in any other public statements we make may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or unknown risks and uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statements can be guaranteed. We disclaim any obligation to subsequently revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements, or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events

General

Rome Bancorp, Inc. commenced operations on October 6, 1999, when The Rome Savings Bank converted from a New York mutual savings bank to a New York mutual holding company structure whereby Rome Savings became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rome Bancorp, a majority owned subsidiary of Rome, MHC.

On April 27, 2004, Rome Savings converted from a New York-chartered savings bank regulated by the New York State Banking Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to a federal savings bank regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”).

On March 30, 2005, Rome, MHC converted from mutual to stock form (the “Conversion”). In connection with the Conversion, the 61.5% of outstanding shares of Rome Bancorp common stock owned by Rome, MHC were sold to depositors of Rome Savings and the public (the “Offering”). Following the completion of the Conversion and Offering, Rome Bancorp was succeeded by a new, fully public, Delaware corporation with the same name and Rome, MHC ceased to exist.

Rome Bancorp’s sole business is conducted by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Rome Savings. Rome Savings principal business is accepting deposits from the general public and using those deposits to make residential and commercial real estate loans, as well as commercial and consumer loans to individuals and small businesses primarily in Oneida County and also elsewhere in New York State. Rome Savings also invests in long and short-term marketable securities and other liquid investments.

2007 Highlights and Overview

The following discussion focuses on the factors affecting the consolidated financial condition of Rome Bancorp as of the two years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 and Rome Bancorp’s results of operations for the three years ended December 31, 2007. The consolidated financial statements and related notes for the three years ended December 31, 2007 should be read in conjunction with this review.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Different amounts could be reported under different conditions, or if different assumptions were used in the application of these accounting policies.


Rome Savings’ results of operations depend primarily on its net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income it earns on its loans and investments and the interest it pays on its deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is affected by the relative amounts of interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rates earned or paid on these balances. Rome Savings’ operations are also affected by non-interest income, such as service fees and gains and losses on sales of securities, the provision for loan losses and non-interest expense such as salaries and employee benefits, occupancy costs, and other general and administrative expenses. Financial institutions in general, including Rome Savings, are significantly affected by economic conditions, competition and the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government. Lending activities are influenced by the demand for and supply of housing, competition among lenders, interest rate conditions and funds availability. Rome Savings’ operations and lending are principally concentrated in the Central New York area, and therefore its operations and earnings are influenced by the economics of the area it operates in. Deposit balances and cost of funds are influenced by prevailing market rates on competing investments, customer preferences and levels of personal income and savings in Rome Savings’ primary market area.

Net income for 2007 was $3.1 million compared to $2.5 million in the prior year. The significant factors and trends impacting 2007, which are discussed in greater depth below, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

Net interest income before loan loss provision in 2007 decreased by $815,000 or 5.8% to $13.1 million from $13.9 million for the prior year. This decrease was principally due to an increase in the average balance and interest rate paid on interest bearing liabilities, partially offset by an increase in the yield earned on interest bearing assets. Rome Bancorp’s ratio of interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities decreased to 139.84% in 2007 from 152.72% in the prior year, while the yield on earning assets increased to 6.47% in 2007 from 6.30% in 2006.

 

 

 

 

Rome Bancorp’s provision for loan losses was $50,000 in 2007, a decrease of $97,000 from $147,000 in the prior year, primarily due to favorable 2007 loan loss experience and continued stable asset quality. Rome Savings does not have any sub-prime mortgage loans in its portfolio and credit quality has not been affected by the slowing economy to date.

 

 

 

 

Non-interest income increased $267,000 to $2.2 million in 2007 primarily due to increases in the cash surrender value of Bank-owned life insurance and higher fee revenue earned.

 

 

 

 

Non-interest expense decreased by $1.3 million from $11.9 million in 2006 to $10.6 in 2007. The majority of this decrease is related to the expensing in the prior year of Rome Bancorp’s 2006 stock-based compensation grants in accordance with the provisions of FASB No.123(R).

Critical Accounting Policies

It is management’s opinion that accounting estimates covering certain aspects of the business have more significance than others due to the relative importance of those areas to overall performance, or the level of subjectivity required in making these estimates. Management of Rome Bancorp considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan losses to be a critical accounting policy given the uncertainty in evaluating the level of the allowance required for probable credit losses and the material effect that such judgments can have on the results of operations. Management’s quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance considers Rome Bancorp’s historical loan loss experience, review of specific loans, current economic conditions and such other factors considered appropriate to estimate losses. Management uses presently available information to estimate probable losses on loans; however, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in estimates, assumptions or economic conditions. Significant factors that could give rise to changes in these estimates include, but are not limited to, changes in economic conditions in the local area, concentrations of risk and declines of local property values.

These critical policies and their application are reviewed periodically by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. All accounting policies are important, and as such, we encourage the reader


to review each of the policies included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements to obtain a better understanding of how our financial performance is reported.

Management of Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the most significant market risk affecting Rome Bancorp. Other types of market risk, such as movements in foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices, do not arise in the normal course of Rome Bancorp’s business operations. Interest rate risk can be defined as an exposure to a movement in interest rates that could have an adverse effect on Rome Bancorp’s net interest income. Interest rate risk arises naturally from the imbalance in the repricing, maturity, and/or cash flow characteristics of assets and liabilities. In periods of falling interest rates, prepayments of loans typically increase, which would lead to reduced net interest income if such proceeds could not be reinvested at a comparable spread. Also in a falling rate environment, certain categories of deposits may reach a point where market forces prevent further reduction in the interest rate paid on those instruments. Generally, during extended periods when short-term and long-term interest rates are relatively close, a flat yield curve may lead to smaller net interest margins thereby reducing net interest income. The net effect of these circumstances is reduced interest income, offset only by a nominal decrease in interest expense, thereby narrowing the net interest margin.

Managing interest rate risk is of primary importance to Rome Bancorp. The responsibility for interest rate risk management is the function of Rome Bancorp’s Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”), which includes the President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Controller, other members of Senior Management and certain members of Rome Bancorp’s Board of Directors. Rome Bancorp’s ALCO meets at least monthly to review Rome Bancorp’s asset/liability policies and identify and measure potential risks to earnings due to changes in interest rates. The primary goal of Rome Bancorp’s interest rate risk management is to minimize the potential loss in net interest income that could arise from changes in interest rates.

A simulation model is the primary tool used to assess the impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income. Key assumptions used in the model include prepayment speeds on loans and mortgage-backed securities, loan volumes and pricing and customer preferences, and sensitivity to changing rates. These assumptions are compared to actual results and revised as necessary. Rome Bancorp’s analysis compares net interest income under a scenario of no change from current interest rates with one of a 100, 200 and 300 basis point increase in interest rates and one of a 100 basis point decrease in rates. The change in interest rates is assumed to occur in the first twelve months following the current financial statement date. Net interest income is measured for each of the three twelve-month periods following the balance sheet date. Rome Bancorp’s policy is that net interest income should not vary by more than 20% for each of the three forecasted twelve-month periods. At December 31, 2007, based on simulation model results, Rome Bancorp was within these guidelines.

The following table sets forth at December 31, 2007 and 2006 the estimated percentage and dollar change in Rome Bancorp’s net interest income resulting from changes in interest rates over a one year period. Certain assumptions have been made in preparing the table below. Although management believes these assumptions to be reasonable, the interest rate sensitivity of assets and liabilities and the estimated effects of changes in interest rates on net interest income indicated in the following table could vary substantially if different assumptions were used or if actual experience differs from such assumptions.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Annual Net Interest Income

 

Annual Net Interest Income

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in
Interest Rates
in
Basis Points(1)

 

Dollar
Amount

 

Dollar
Change
From Base

 

Percentage
Change
From
Base

 

Dollar
Amount

 

Dollar
Change
From Base

 

Percentage
Change
From
Base

 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

+300

 

 

$

13,137

 

$

(229

)

 

(1.71

)%

$

13,390

 

$

22

 

 

0.16

%

+200

 

 

 

13,239

 

 

(127

)

 

(0.95

)

 

13,445

 

 

77

 

 

0.58

 

+100

 

 

 

13,331

 

 

(35

)

 

(0.26

)

 

13,429

 

 

61

 

 

0.46

 

Base

 

 

 

13,366

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,368

 

 

 

 

 

-100

 

 

 

13,382

 

 

16

 

 

0.12

 

 

13,327

 

 

(41

)

 

(0.31

)


 

 

(1)

Assumes an instantaneous uniform change in interest rates. Basis point equals 0.01%

The above table reflects that as of both December 31, 2007 and 2006, Rome Bancorp had a relatively low risk of volatility in net interest income due to interest rate fluctuations. The interest rate risk modeled as of December 31, 2007 was slightly higher, exhibiting negative variances in periods of rising interest rates. This can be attributed to the increase in the Company’s overnight borrowings to $23.0 million at December 31, 2007 from $11.8 million a year earlier. These short-term borrowings reprice directly in relation to changes in prevailing interest rates, hence an increase in underlying interest rates would immediately impact the Company’s interest expense.



Analysis of Net Interest Income.

Average Balances, Interest and Average Yields. The following table sets forth certain information relating to Rome Bancorp’s average balance sheets and reflects the average yield on interest-earnings assets and average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, interest earned and interest paid for the periods indicated. Such yields and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented. Average balances are derived from daily balances over the periods indicated. The average balances for loans are net of allowance for loan losses, but include non-accrual loans. Interest income on securities includes a tax equivalent adjustment for bank qualified municipals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Balances, Interest and Average Yields for the years ended

 

 

 


 

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

December 31, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest
Income/
Expense

 

Average
Yield/
Cost

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest
Income/
Expense

 

Average
Yield/
Cost

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest
Income/
Expense

 

Average
Yield/
Cost

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-earning assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

270,373

 

$

17,481

 

 

6.47

%

$

255,201

 

$

16,330

 

 

6.40

%

$

242,464

 

$

14,993

 

 

6.18

%

Securities

 

 

6,452

 

 

437

 

 

6.77

 

 

8,447

 

 

541

 

 

6.40

 

 

15,712

 

 

864

 

 

5.50

 

Federal funds sold & other interest bearing deposits

 

 

1,110

 

 

52

 

 

4.67

 

 

14,546

 

 

664

 

 

4.57

 

 

26,182

 

 

826

 

 

3.15

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total interest-earnings assets

 

 

277,935

 

 

17,970

 

 

6.47

 

 

278,194

 

 

17,535

 

 

6.30

 

 

284,358

 

 

16,683

 

 

5.87

 

Noninterest-earning assets

 

 

28,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,474

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,396

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

306,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

300,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

301,754

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings accounts

 

$

82,355

 

$

454

 

 

0.55

 

$

87,560

 

$

657

 

 

0.75

 

$

95,061

 

$

703

 

 

0.74

 

Time deposits

 

 

69,822

 

 

2,834

 

 

4.06

 

 

66,822

 

 

2,276

 

 

3.41

 

 

67,214

 

 

1,820

 

 

2.71

 

Money market accounts

 

 

6,994

 

 

139

 

 

1.99

 

 

5,382

 

 

88

 

 

1.62

 

 

6,145

 

 

55

 

 

0.90

 

Other interest bearing deposits

 

 

11,695

 

 

65

 

 

0.56

 

 

11,321

 

 

69

 

 

0.61

 

 

10,170

 

 

65

 

 

0.64

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

 

170,866

 

 

3,492

 

 

2.04

 

 

171,085

 

 

3,090

 

 

1.81

 

 

178,590

 

 

2,643

 

 

1.48

 

Borrowings

 

 

27,883

 

 

1,306

 

 

4.68

 

 

11,069

 

 

431

 

 

3.90

 

 

11,693

 

 

393

 

 

3.36

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

198,749

 

 

4,798

 

 

2.41

 

 

182,154

 

 

3,521

 

 

1.93

 

 

190,283

 

 

3,036

 

 

1.60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Noninterest-bearing deposits

 

 

28,337

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,647

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

5,622

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,712

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

232,708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

215,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

222,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

73,852

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

85,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

79,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

306,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

300,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

301,754

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

 

 

 

13,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,647

 

 

 

 

Tax equivalent adjustment on securities

 

 

 

 

 

(51

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(78

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(148

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Net interest income per consolidated financial statements

 

 

 

 

$

13,121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

13,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

13,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest rate spread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.06

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.37

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.27

%

Net interest margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.74

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.04

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.80

%

Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.40

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.53

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.49

x



Rate Volume Analysis. The following table analyzes the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. It shows the amount of the change in interest income or expense caused by either changes in outstanding balances (volume) or changes in interest rates. The effect of a change in volume is measured by applying the average rate during the first period to the volume change between the two periods. The effect of changes in rate is measured by applying the change in rate between the two periods to the average volume during the first period. Changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately to the absolute value of the change due to volume and the change due to rate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rate Volume Analysis

 

 

 


 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,
2007
Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2006

 

Year Ended December 31,
2006
Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2005

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Increases (decreases) due to

 

Increases (decreases) due to

 

 

 


 

 

 

Rate

 

Volume

 

Net

 

Rate

 

Volume

 

Net

 

 

 












 

 

 

( in thousands)

 

 

 


 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-earning assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

146

 

$

1,005

 

$

1,151

 

$

573

 

$

764

 

$

1,337

 

Securities

 

 

24

 

 

(128

)

 

(104

)

 

76

 

 

(399

)

 

(323

)

Federal funds sold & other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits

 

 

1

 

 

(613

)

 

(612

)

 

205

 

 

(367

)

 

(162

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total interest-earnings assets

 

 

171

 

 

264

 

 

435

 

 

854

 

 

(2

)

 

852

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings accounts

 

 

(164

)

 

(39

)

 

(203

)

 

10

 

 

(56

)

 

(46

)

Time deposits

 

 

456

 

 

102

 

 

558

 

 

467

 

 

(11

)

 

456

 

Money market accounts

 

 

25

 

 

26

 

 

51

 

 

39

 

 

(6

)

 

33

 

Other interest bearing deposits

 

 

(6

)

 

2

 

 

(4

)

 

(3

)

 

7

 

 

4

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

 

311

 

 

91

 

 

402

 

 

513

 

 

(66

)

 

447

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

219

 

 

656

 

 

875

 

 

59

 

 

(21

)

 

38

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

530

 

 

747

 

 

1,277

 

 

572

 

 

(87

)

 

485

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in interest income

 

$

(359

)

$

(483

)

$

(842

)

$

282

 

$

85

 

$

367

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006

Rome Bancorp’s total assets at December 31, 2007 were $318.1 million, an increase of $19.3 million or 6.5% from $298.8 million at December 31, 2006. Most of the growth was attributable to increases in the loan portfolio.

Cash and cash equivalents remained relatively constant over the past year. Securities available for sale were $2.7 million at December 31, 2007, a decrease of $1.6 million or 37.2% from $4.3 million at December 31, 2006. This decrease was due to maturities and principal reductions. Rome Bancorp invested $1.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank stock in 2007, in connection with its line of credit borrowing with this institution.

Total loans increased by $18.5 million, or 7.0% to $283.0 million at December 31, 2007 from $264.5 million at December 31, 2006. During the year ended December 31, 2007, Rome Bancorp originated approximately $61.7 million of loans. The majority of the loan growth was in the residential mortgage loan portfolio, which grew by $14.6 million, or 10.8%. Asset quality improved over the same period as non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans declined to 0.35% at December 31, 2007 as compared to 0.42% at December 31, 2006. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-performing loans increased to 190.4% at December 31, 2007, from 178.0% at December 31, 2006. These ratios are considered appropriate due to the growth in Rome Bancorp’s


residential mortgage portfolio in 2007. Due to stringent underwriting standards, the history of losses on this portfolio is significantly lower than on the remaining loans in the total loan portfolio.

Total deposits increased by $7.0 million or 3.6% from $196.0 million at December 31, 2006 to $203.0 million at December 31, 2007. The overall increase in deposits is primarily attributable to increases in time deposits, money market accounts, other interest-bearing and non-interest bearing deposit accounts partially offset by decreases in savings balances. Time deposits increased to $73.2 million at December 31, 2007 from $66.4 million a year earlier due to promotion of these accounts. Money market balances grew by $2.3 million in 2007, increasing from $5.1 million at December 31, 2006 to $7.4 million at December 31, 2007. Non-interest bearing deposits and other interest bearing deposits increased by $1.5 million or 5.2% and $808,000 or 6.5%, respectively over the past year. Savings deposits decreased $4.3 million from $84.1 million at December 31, 2006 to $79.8 million at December 31, 2007. The decline in this deposit category is attributed to customers seeking higher returns in other investment vehicles, consistent with trends among financial institutions.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006

General. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $3.1 million, an increase of $566,000 from $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase in net income was attributable to decreases in non-interest expense of $1.3 million, an increase in non-interest income of $267,000 and a decrease in loan loss provision of $97,000, partially offset by a decrease in net interest income before loan loss provision of $815,000 and an increase in income tax expense of $270,000.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income was $13.1 million in 2007, a decrease of $815,000 or 5.9% from $13.9 million in 2006. This decrease is principally due to an increase in interest expense.

Interest Income. Interest income increased by $462,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007, from $17.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Interest income earned on the loan portfolio increased to $17.5 million in 2007 from $16.3 million in 2006. Average loan balances increased to $270.4 million in 2007 from $255.2 million in 2006, primarily due to growth in the residential mortgage portfolio. The yield on loans in 2007 increased to 6.47% compared to 6.40% in 2006. Interest and dividend income on securities decreased in 2007 primarily due to a decline in volume. As securities matured, management utilized the proceeds to fund the aforementioned growth in the loan portfolio, thereby enhancing the yield on those available funds. Average securities decreased to $6.5 million in 2006 from $8.4 million in 2006 while their yields increased to 6.77% from 6.40% over the same period. Interest income of other short-term investments, including federal funds sold, dropped from $664,000 in 2006 to $52,000 in 2007, as a result of a decrease in average federal funds sold from $14.5 million in 2006 to $1.1 million in 2007.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $4.8 million in 2007 from $3.5 million in 2006 primarily due to increases in the average balances of outstanding debt and in the rates paid on debt and deposit accounts, consistent with current market trends. Interest expense on borrowings increased from $431,000 in 2006 to $1.3 million in 2007 as the average balances increased from $11.1 million in 2006 to $27.9 million in the current year. In addition, the average rate paid on this debt increased to 4.68% in 2007 from 3.90% in 2006. The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits in 2007 was 2.04% compared to 1.81% in 2006, principally due to higher rates paid on time deposits.

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses was $50,000 in 2007 compared to $147,000 in 2006, reflecting a lower level of charge-offs in 2007. The allowance for loan losses was $1.9 million or 0.68% of total loans at December 31, 2007 compared to $2.0 million and 0.74% of total loans at December 31, 2006. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-performing loans increased to 190.4% at December 31, 2007 compared to 178.0% at December 31, 2006. Non-performing loans, consisting of non-accrual loans and loans 90 days past due and still accruing, was


$1.0 million or 0.35% of total loans at December 31, 2007 compared to $1.1 million or 0.42% at December 31, 2006. These ratios are considered appropriate due to the net growth in Rome Bancorp’s residential mortgage portfolio of $14.6 million, or 10.8% in 2007. Due to stringent underwriting standards, the history of losses on the residential mortgage loan portfolio is significantly lower than on the other types of loans. Rome Savings does not originate subprime mortgage loans.

In determining the level of the provision for loan losses necessary to absorb probable incurred credit losses, management considers the level of and trend in non-performing loans, the level of and trend in net loan charge-offs, the dollar amount and mix of the loan portfolio, as well as general economic conditions and real estate trends in Rome Bancorp’s market area, which can impact the inherent risk of loss in Rome Bancorp’s loan portfolio. As a result of these factors, management determined that a provision of $50,000 was appropriate in 2007.

Non-Interest Income. The following table summarizes changes in the major components of non-interest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 



 



 

Gain on securities sold

 

$

11

 

$

11

 

$

 

 

 

Gain on sale of loans

 

 

18

 

 

15

 

 

3

 

 

20.00

%

Service charges

 

 

1,654

 

 

1,559

 

 

95

 

 

6.09

%

Other income

 

 

480

 

 

311

 

 

169

 

 

54.34

%

 

 



 



 



 



Total non-interest income

 

$

2,163

 

$

1,896

 

$

267

 

 

14.08

%

 

 



 



 



 



 

Non-interest income increased $267,000 to $2.2 million in 2007 from $1.9 million in 2006. In mid-2006, Rome Bancorp invested in $8.0 million of bank-owned life insurance. The 2007 increase in cash surrender value of that investment was $168,000 higher than in 2006, due to the asset being held for a full year. Service charge income increased commensurate with deposit and loan activity.

Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense decreased to $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The following table summarizes changes in the major components of non-interest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 



 



 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

$

5,887

 

$

6,986

 

$

(1,099

)

 

(15.73

)%

Occupancy and equipment expense

 

 

1,896

 

 

1,824

 

 

72

 

 

3.95

%

Marketing expense

 

 

176

 

 

247

 

 

(71

)

 

(28.75

) %

Outside consulting and professional fees

 

 

712

 

 

792

 

 

(80

)

 

(10.10

) %

Other expense

 

 

1,901

 

 

2,010

 

 

(109

)

 

(5.42

) %

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total non-interest expense

 

$

10,572

 

$

11,859

 

$

(1,287

)

 

(10.85

) %

 

 



 



 



 



 

The decrease in salaries and employee benefits is related to the 2006 adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payments, and its requirement to record stock-based compensation cost using the fair value method. In 2006, adoption of this standard resulted in additional non-cash compensation expense of $1.6 million. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), in addition to expensing the fair value of options and restricted share awards over the underlying requisite service period of those awards, grants made to individuals eligible for retirement or early retirement as defined in Rome Bancorp’s defined benefit pension plan were required to be expensed at the point when the individuals met the retirement eligibility criteria. This resulted in accelerating $1.3 million of stock-based compensation amortization expense into 2006 that otherwise would have been recorded in subsequent years. Increases in occupancy costs are related to the opening of Rome Bancorp’s fifth branch in mid-2007. Other cost decreases were the result of cost containment practices.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $1.6 million for 2007, an increase of $270,000 from 2006 income tax expense of $1.3 million. The increase is directly attributable to higher pre-tax earnings.


Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005

General. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $2.5 million, a decrease of $914,000 from $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The decrease in net income was attributable to increases in non-interest expense of $1.9 million, a decrease in gains on securities sales of $94,000, a decrease in non-interest income of $36,000 and an increase in loan loss provision of $32,000, partially offset by an increase in net interest income before loan loss provision of $437,000 and a decrease in income tax expense of $693,000.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income was $13.9 million in 2006, an increase of $437,000 or 3.2% from $13.5 million in 2005. This increase was principally due to an increase in interest income, resulting in net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis of 5.04% in 2006 compared to 4.80% for the year ended 2005.

Interest Income. Interest income increased by $922,000 for the year ended December 31, 2006, from $16.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. Interest income earned on the loan portfolio increased to $16.3 million in 2006 from $15.0 million in 2005. Average loan balances increased to $255.2 million in 2006 from $242.5 million in 2005, primarily due to growth in the residential mortgage portfolio. The yield on loans in 2006 was 6.40% compared to 6.18% in 2005, due to increases in underlying market rates over the two years. Interest and dividend income on securities decreased in 2006 primarily due to a decline in volume. As securities matured and were sold, management utilized the proceeds to fund the aforementioned growth in the loan portfolio, thereby enhancing the yield on those available funds. Average securities decreased to $8.4 million in 2006 from $15.7 million in 2005 while their yields increased to 6.40% from 5.50% over the same period. Interest income of other short-term investments, including federal funds sold, dropped from $826,000 in 2005 to $664,000 in 2006, as a result of a decrease in average federal funds sold from $26.2 million in 2005 to $14.5 million in 2006. Partially offsetting the average balance decrease was an increase in the yields on these federal funds to 4.57% from 3.15% over the same period.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $3.5 million in 2006 from $3.0 million in 2005 primarily due to an increase in the rate paid on deposit accounts, consistent with market trends. The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits in 2006 was 1.81% compared to 1.48% in 2005. The average balance of these deposits decreased to $171.1 million in 2006 from $178.6 million in the prior year. Interest expense on borrowings increased from $393,000 in 2005 to $431,000 in 2006 due to an increase in the average rate paid on this debt from 3.36% in 2005 to 3.90% in 2006.

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses was $147,000 in 2006 compared to $115,000 in 2005. The 2005 provision for loan losses was lower than normal as Rome Bancorp received a large recovery on a commercial loan that had been charged off in fiscal 2000. The allowance for loan losses was $2.0 million or 0.74% of total loans at December 31, 2006 compared to $2.0 million and 0.77% of total loans at December 31, 2005. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-performing loans was 178% at December 31, 2006 compared to 207% at December 31, 2005. Non-performing loans, consisting of non-accrual loans and loans 90 days past due and still accruing, was $1.1 million or 0.42% of total loans at December 31, 2006 compared to $947,000 or 0.37% at December 31, 2005. These ratios are considered appropriate due to the net growth in Rome Bancorp’s residential mortgage portfolio of $8.6 million in 2006. Due to stringent underwriting standards, the history of losses on the residential mortgage loan portfolio is significantly lower than on the other types of loans. Despite strong asset quality, management determined that the current year’s provision was necessary due to the continued growth of the loan portfolio and to cover routine charge-offs of non-performing loans.

In determining the level of the provision for loan losses necessary to absorb probable incurred credit losses, management considers the level of and trend in non-performing loans, the level of and trend in net loan charge-offs, the dollar amount and mix of the loan portfolio, as well as general economic conditions and real estate trends in Rome Bancorp’s market area, which can impact the inherent risk


of loss in Rome Bancorp’s loan portfolio. As a result of these factors, management determined that a provision of $147,000 was necessary in 2006.

Non-Interest Income. The following table summarizes changes in the major components of non-interest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Gain on securities sold

 

$

11

 

$

105

 

$

(94

)

 

(89.52

)%

Gain on sale of loans

 

 

15

 

 

20

 

 

(5

)

 

(25.00

)%

Service charges

 

 

1,559

 

 

1,585

 

 

(26

)

 

(1.64

)%

Other income

 

 

311

 

 

316

 

 

(5

)

 

(1.58

)%

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total non-interest income

 

$

1,896

 

$

2,026

 

$

(130

)

 

(6.42

)%

 

 



 



 



 



 

Non-interest income decreased by $130,000 to $1.9 million in 2006 as compared to $2.0 million in 2005, principally due to lower gains on securities sales. Rome Bancorp recorded net securities sales gains of $11,000 in 2006 versus $105,000 in 2005, due to a lower volume of sales activity. In mid-2006, Rome Bancorp made an $8.0 million investment in Bank-owned life insurance policies on key officers, resulting in $215,000 of increased cash surrender value being recognized through the balance of 2006. During 2005, Rome Bancorp recovered $167,000 in costs related to the aforementioned fiscal 2000 loan write-off.

Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense was $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The following table summarizes changes in the major components of non-interest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

$

6,986

 

$

5,359

 

$

1,627

 

 

30.36

%

Occupancy and equipment expense

 

 

1,824

 

 

1,670

 

 

154

 

 

9.22

%

Marketing expense

 

 

247

 

 

312

 

 

(65

)

 

(20.83

)%

Outside consulting and professional fees

 

 

792

 

 

640

 

 

152

 

 

23.75

%

Other expense

 

 

2,010

 

 

1,996

 

 

14

 

 

0.70

%

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total non-interest expense

 

$

11,859

 

$

9,977

 

$

1,882

 

 

18.86

%

 

 



 



 



 



 

The increase in salaries and employee benefits is related to the 2006 adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payments, and its requirement to record stock-based compensation cost using the fair value method. For 2006, adopting this standard resulted in additional non-cash compensation expense of $1.6 million. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), in addition to expensing the fair value of options and restricted share awards over the underlying requisite service period of those awards, grants made to individuals eligible for retirement or early retirement as defined in Rome Bancorp’s defined benefit pension plan were required to be expensed at the point when the individuals met the retirement eligibility criteria. This resulted in accelerating $1.3 million of stock-based compensation amortization expense into 2006 that otherwise would have been recorded in subsequent years. Increases in occupancy costs and professional fees are primarily attributable to additional costs related to information technology infrastructure and continued Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance activities.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $1.3 million for 2006, a decrease of $693,000 from 2005 income tax expense of $2.0 million. The decrease is directly attributable to lower pre-tax earnings and an increase in permanent tax benefits.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity describes our ability to meet the financial obligations that arise during the ordinary course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet the borrowing and deposit withdrawal requirements of our customers and to fund current and planned expenditures. Rome Bancorp’s primary sources of funds consist of deposits, scheduled amortization and prepayments of loans and mortgage-backed securities, maturities and sales of investments, interest bearing deposits at other


financial institutions and funds provided from operations. Rome Savings also has a written agreement with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York that allows it to borrow up to $60.4 million on a line of credit. At December 31, 2007, Rome Savings had outstanding borrowings of $23.0 million against this line of credit, in addition to bullet and amortizing notes totaling $17.3 million.

Loan repayments and maturing investment securities are a relatively predictable source of funds. However, deposit flows, calls of investment securities, and prepayments of loans and mortgage-backed securities are strongly influenced by interest rates, general and local economic conditions, and competition in the marketplace. These factors reduce the predictability of the timing of these sources of funds.

Rome Bancorp’s primary investing activities include the origination of loans and to a lesser extent the purchase of investment securities. In 2007, Rome Bancorp originated approximately $61.7 million in loans compared to approximately $51.7 million in 2006. Purchases of investment securities were $1.0 in 2007 and $1.6 million in 2006. At December 31, 2007, Rome Bancorp had loan commitments to borrowers of approximately $8.0 million, and customer available letters and lines of credit of approximately $20.1 million.

Total deposits were $203.0 million at December 31, 2007, an increase of 3.6% from $196.0 million at December 31, 2006. Time deposit accounts scheduled to mature within one year were $46.4 million at December 31, 2007. Based on our deposit retention experience and current pricing strategy, we anticipate that a significant portion of these time deposits will remain with Rome Bancorp. We are committed to maintaining a strong liquidity position, therefore, Rome Bancorp monitors its liquidity position on a daily basis. Rome Bancorp anticipates that it will have sufficient funds to meet its current funding commitments. The marginal cost of new funding however, whether from deposits or from borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank, will be carefully considered as Rome Bancorp monitors its liquidity needs. Therefore, in order to minimize its cost of funds, Rome Bancorp may consider additional borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank in the future.

During 2007, Rome Bancorp repurchased 838,100 outstanding shares of its common stock at a total cost of $10.2 million. Rome Bancorp paid cash dividends of $0.32 per share in 2007, requiring a cash outlay of $2.5 million.

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, Rome Savings exceeded each of the applicable regulatory capital requirements. Rome Savings’ leverage (Tier 1) capital at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $64.3 million and $63.2 million or 20.24% and 21.27% of adjusted assets, respectively. In order to be classified as “well-capitalized” by the OTS and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), at December 31, 2007 and 2006, Rome Savings is required to have leverage (Tier 1) capital of $15.9 million and $14.9 million, respectively, or 5.0% of adjusted assets, respectively. To be classified as a “well-capitalized” bank by the OTS and FDIC, Rome Savings must also have a risk-based total capital ratio of 10.0%. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, Rome Savings had a risk-based total capital ratio of 27.73% and 28.9%, respectively.

Rome Bancorp does not anticipate any material capital expenditures, nor does it have any balloon or other payments due on any long-term obligations or any off-balance sheet items other than debt as described in Note 7 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the commitments and unused lines and letters of credit noted above.


Rome Bancorp is contractually obligated to make payments as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments due by Period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

Less than
1 year

 

1-3 years

 

3-5 years

 

More than
5 years

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

Time deposits

 

$

73,209

 

$

46,446

 

$

23,101

 

$

3,662

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings

 

 

40,333

 

 

25,709

 

 

11,647

 

 

1,765

 

$

1,212

 

Software maintenance and service contracts

 

 

1,207

 

 

465

 

 

707

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total contractual obligations

 

$

114,749

 

$

72,620

 

$

35,455

 

$

5,462

 

$

1,212

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Rome Bancorp does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on Rome Bancorp’s financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2006, Rome Bancorp adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. See the discussion above under “Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 - Non-Interest Expense,” for further discussion of the effect of adopting this standard.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”),which became effective for fiscal years ending on or after November 15, 2006. SAB 108 provides guidance on how the effects of prior-year uncorrected financial statement misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. SAB 108 requires public companies to quantify misstatements using both an income statement (rollover) and balance sheet (iron curtain) approach and evaluate whether either approach results in a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. If prior year errors that had been previously considered immaterial now are considered material based on either approach, no restatement is required so long as management properly applied its previous approach and all relevant facts and circumstances were considered. Adjustments considered immaterial in prior years under the method previously used, but now considered material under the dual approach required by SAB 108, were recorded upon initial adoption of SAB 108. The amount so recorded has been shown as a cumulative effect adjustment and is recorded in opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2006. Rome Bancorp recorded a cumulative effect adjustment that decreased retained earnings in the amount of $206,000, which was comprised of a reduction of reserves for income and franchise taxes in the amount of $204,000, offset by corrections to increase prior year payroll and benefit accruals in the amount of $410,000, net of taxes.

Rome Bancorp adopted FASB Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), as of January 1, 2007. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The adoption had no effect on Rome Bancorp’s financial statements.


Newly Issued But Not Yet Effective Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement establishes a fair value hierarchy about the assumptions used to measure fair value and clarifies assumptions about risk and the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The impact of adoption was not material.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The standard provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The new standard is effective for Rome Bancorp on January 1, 2008. Rome Bancorp did not elect the fair value option for any financial assets or financial liabilities as of January 1, 2008. In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. This FSP delays the effective date of FAS 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The impact of adoption was not material.

In September 2006, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force finalized Issue No. 06-4, Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements. This issue requires that a liability be recorded during the service period when a split-dollar life insurance agreement continues after participants’ employment or retirement. The required accrued liability will be based on either the post-employment benefit cost for the continuing life insurance or based on the future death benefit depending on the contractual terms of the underlying agreement. This issue is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. The impact of adoption was not material.

MARKET FOR THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK

Rome Bancorp’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ROME”.

At December 31, 2007, the last trading date in Rome Bancorp’s fiscal year, the common stock of Rome Bancorp closed at $11.57 per share. At March 3, 2008, there were 7,619,015 shares of Rome Bancorp’s common stock outstanding, which were held of record by approximately 2,647 registered shareholders.

The table below shows the high and low sales price of Rome Bancorp’s common stock during the periods indicated. Rome Bancorp paid cash dividends of $0.32 per share in 2007. Rome Bancorp also paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.085 per share to shareholders of record as of February 5, 2008. Our ability to pay dividends depends on a number of factors including:

 

 

 

 

investment opportunities available to the Bank or Rome Bancorp;

 

 

 

 

the Bank’s capital requirements;

 

 

 

 

federal laws and regulations;

 

 

 

 

our financial results;

 

 

 

 

tax considerations; and

 

 

 

 

general economic conditions.



We do not guarantee that we will pay dividends, or that we will not reduce or eliminate dividends in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Price Range

 

 

 


 

Date

 

High

 

Low

 

Dividends

 


 


 


 


 

Year ended December 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter ended March 31, 2007

 

$

12.82

 

$

12.00

 

$

0.08

 

Quarter ended June 30, 2007

 

 

12.59

 

 

12.00

 

 

0.08

 

Quarter ended September 30, 2007

 

 

12.46

 

 

11.00

 

 

0.08

 

Quarter ended December 31, 2007

 

 

11.91

 

 

11.00

 

 

0.08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter ended March 31, 2006

 

$

12.10

 

$

10.75

 

$

0.075

 

Quarter ended June 30, 2006

 

 

12.95

 

 

11.71

 

 

0.075

 

Quarter ended September 30, 2006

 

 

13.00

 

 

12.11

 

 

0.075

 

Quarter ended December 31, 2006

 

 

12.96

 

 

12.46

 

 

0.075

 



Performance Graph. The graph below compares Rome Bancorp’s total cumulative shareholder return, including reinvestment of dividends and adjusted for stock splits, by an investor who invested $100.00 on December 31, 2002, to December 31, 2007, to the total return by an investor who invested $100.00 in each of the Nasdaq Composite Index (U.S. Companies) and the Nasdaq Bank Composite Index (banks and bank holding companies, over 99% of which are based in the United States).

(LINE GRAPH)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period Ending

 

 

 



Index

 

12/31/02

 

12/31/03

 

12/31/04

 

12/31/05

 

12/31/06

 

12/31/07

 















Rome Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

100.00

 

 

188.19

 

 

178.82

 

 

155.36

 

 

187.22

 

 

174.39

 

NASDAQ Bank

 

 

100.00

 

 

129.93

 

 

144.21

 

 

137.97

 

 

153.15

 

 

119.35

 

NASDAQ Composite

 

 

100.00

 

 

150.01

 

 

162.89

 

 

165.13

 

 

180.85

 

 

198.60

 



MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of Rome Bancorp, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of assets of Rome Bancorp, Inc.; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of Rome Bancorp, Inc. are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of Rome Bancorp, Inc. and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management assessed the effectiveness of Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee for Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment and those criteria, management concluded that Rome Bancorp, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007.

Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued their report on the effective operation of Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting. That report follows under the heading, Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

 

/s/ Charles M. Sprock


Charles M. Sprock

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

March 7, 2008

 

/s/ David C. Nolan


David C. Nolan

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

March 7, 2008



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Board of Directors
Rome Bancorp, Inc.
Rome, New York

We have audited Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the effectiveness of Rome Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly represent the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Rome Bancorp, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Rome Bancorp Inc. as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, and our report dated March 7, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

/s/ Crowe Chizek and Company LLC


Crowe Chizek and Company LLC

Cleveland, Ohio

 

March 7, 2008



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Board of Directors
Rome Bancorp, Inc.
Rome, New York

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Rome Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Rome Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiary at December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Rome Bancorp, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 7, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

/s/ Crowe Chizek and Company LLC


Crowe Chizek and Company LLC

Cleveland, Ohio

March 7, 2008



ROME BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2007 and 2006

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

6,978

 

$

6,769

 

Federal funds sold and other short-term investments

 

 

1,040

 

 

1,089

 

 

 



 



 

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

 

8,018

 

 

7,858

 

Securities available for sale, at fair value

 

 

2,674

 

 

4,319

 

Securities held to maturity (fair value of $1,195 and $1,175 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively)

 

 

1,147

 

 

1,178

 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

 

2,344

 

 

1,344

 

Loans

 

 

282,952

 

 

264,537

 

Less: Allowance for loan losses

 

 

(1,910

)

 

(1,965

)

 

 



 



 

Net loans

 

 

281,042

 

 

262,572

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premises and equipment, net

 

 

6,568

 

 

6,072

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

1,124

 

 

1,094

 

Bank-owned life insurance

 

 

8,598

 

 

8,215

 

Other assets

 

 

6,616

 

 

6,107

 

 

 



 



 

Total assets

 

$

318,131

 

$

298,759

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing

 

$

29,509

 

$

28,042

 

Savings

 

 

79,750

 

 

84,089

 

Money market

 

 

7,406

 

 

5,123

 

Time

 

 

73,209

 

 

66,401

 

Other interest bearing

 

 

13,158

 

 

12,350

 

 

 



 



 

Total deposits

 

 

203,032

 

 

196,005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

40,333

 

 

20,172

 

Other liabilities

 

 

5,729

 

 

5,551

 

 

 



 



 

Total liabilities

 

 

249,094

 

 

221,728

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized: 30,000,000 shares; issued: 9,891,515 shares; outstanding: 7,788,415 shares at December 31, 2007; authorized: 30,000,000 shares; issued: 9,726,572 shares; outstanding: 8,461,572 shares at December 31, 2006

 

 

99

 

 

97

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

61,884

 

 

60,712

 

Retained earnings

 

 

36,179

 

 

35,643

 

Treasury stock, at cost; 2,103,100 shares at December 31, 2007 and 1,265,000 shares at December 31, 2006

 

 

(26,488

)

 

(16,307

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(376

)

 

(633

)

Unallocated shares of employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) 370,206 shares at December 31, 2007; 416,171 shares at December 31, 2006

 

 

(2,261

)

 

(2,481

)

 

 



 



 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

69,037

 

 

77,031

 

 

 



 



 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

318,131

 

$

298,759

 

 

 



 



 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


ROME BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Income

Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Interest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

17,481

 

$

16,330

 

$

14,993

 

Securities

 

 

386

 

 

463

 

 

716

 

Other short-term investments

 

 

52

 

 

664

 

 

826

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total interest income

 

 

17,919

 

 

17,457

 

 

16,535

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

3,492

 

 

3,090

 

 

2,643

 

Borrowings

 

 

1,306

 

 

431

 

 

393

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total interest expense

 

 

4,798

 

 

3,521

 

 

3,036

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

13,121

 

 

13,936

 

 

13,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for loan losses

 

 

50

 

 

147

 

 

115

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

 

13,071

 

 

13,789

 

 

13,384

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service charges

 

 

1,654

 

 

1,559

 

 

1,585

 

Net gain on securities

 

 

11

 

 

11

 

 

105

 

Other income

 

 

498

 

 

326

 

 

336

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total non-interest income

 

 

2,163

 

 

1,896

 

 

2,026

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

 

5,887

 

 

6,986

 

 

5,359

 

Building, occupancy and equipment

 

 

1,896

 

 

1,824

 

 

1,670

 

Directors’ fees

 

 

184

 

 

219

 

 

228

 

Marketing

 

 

176

 

 

247

 

 

312

 

Outside consulting and professional fees

 

 

712

 

 

792

 

 

640

 

ATM service fees

 

 

236

 

 

210

 

 

251

 

Supplies

 

 

197

 

 

172

 

 

160

 

Other

 

 

1,284

 

 

1,409

 

 

1,357

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total non-interest expense

 

 

10,572

 

 

11,859

 

 

9,977

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

 

 

4,662

 

 

3,826

 

 

5,433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

1,608

 

 

1,338

 

 

2,031

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,054

 

$

2,488

 

$

3,402

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.37

 

 

 



 



 



 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.36

 

 

 



 



 



 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



 

ROME BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income

Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

(In thousands, except share data)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common
stock

 

Additional
paid-in
capital

 

Retained
earnings

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)

 

Unallocated
ESOP
shares

 

Unearned
compensation

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Balances at December 31, 2004

 

$

33

 

$

10,756

 

$

34,627

 

$

(8,963

)

$

391

 

$

(560

)

$

(26

)

$

36,258

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,402

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,402

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(306

)

 

 

 

 

 

(306

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,096

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds of common stock offering and conversion of existing shares, net of expenses

 

 

64

 

 

57,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,360

)

 

 

 

55,462

 

Retirement of 1,747,266 treasury shares

 

 

 

 

(8,963

)

 

 

 

8,963

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit 35,882 shares, net

 

 

 

 

130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

130

 

Amortization and tax benefits of unearned compensation

 

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

 

99

 

Dividends paid ($0.265 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,046

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,046

)

ESOP shares released for allocation (45,965 shares)

 

 

 

 

259

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

220

 

 

 

 

479

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balances at December 31, 2005

 

 

97

 

 

60,013

 

 

35,983

 

 

 

 

85

 

 

(2,700

)

 

 

 

93,478

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,488

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(42

)

 

 

 

 

 

(42

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,446

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 158, net of tax (Note 1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(676

)

 

 

 

 

 

(676

)

Purchase of 1,383,000 treasury shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,818

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,818

)

Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit 48,444 shares, net

 

 

 

 

245

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

245

 

Grant of restricted shares

 

 

 

 

(1,511

)

 

 

 

1,511

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of stock option and restricted share grants

 

 

 

 

1,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,616

 

Dividends paid ($0.30 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,622

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,622

)

ESOP shares released for allocation (45,965 shares)

 

 

 

 

349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

219

 

 

 

 

568

 

Adjustment to initially apply SAB No. 108 (Note 1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(206

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(206

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balances at December 31, 2006

 

 

97

 

 

60,712

 

 

35,643

 

 

(16,307

)

 

(633

)

 

(2,481

)

 

 

 

77,031

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,054

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,054

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

257

 

 

 

 

 

 

257

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,311

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of 838,100 treasury shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,181

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,181

)

Exercise of stock options and related tax benefit 164,943 shares, net

 

 

2

 

 

510

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

512

 

Amortization and tax benefits of stock option and restricted share grants

 

 

 

 

325

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

325

 

Dividends paid ($0.32 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,518

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,518

)

ESOP shares released for allocation (45,965 shares)

 

 

 

 

337

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

220

 

 

 

 

557

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balances at December 31, 2007

 

$

99

 

$

61,884

 

$

36,179

 

$

(26,488

)

$

(376

)

$

(2,261

)

$

 

$

69,037

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


ROME BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,054

 

$

2,488

 

$

3,402

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

587

 

 

548

 

 

515

 

Increase in accrued interest receivable

 

 

(30

)

 

(41

)

 

(51

)

Provision for loan losses

 

 

50

 

 

147

 

 

115

 

Net gain on securities transactions

 

 

(11

)

 

(11

)

 

(105

)

Gain on sales of loans

 

 

(18

)

 

(15

)

 

(20

)

Proceeds from sale of loans

 

 

1,509

 

 

1,114

 

 

1,715

 

Origination of loans for sale

 

 

(1,491

)

 

(1,099

)

 

(1,695

)

Net premium amortization on securities

 

 

(5

)

 

(9

)

 

(7

)

Increase in cash surrender value of Bank-owned life insurance

 

 

(383

)

 

(215

)

 

 

(Gain) loss on sale of other real estate

 

 

 

 

13

 

 

(15

)

Loss on sale of fixed assets

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

Increase in other liabilities

 

 

178

 

 

436

 

 

269

 

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense

 

 

(37

)

 

(762

)

 

282

 

Increase in other assets

 

 

(65

)

 

(512

)

 

(112

)

Allocation of ESOP shares

 

 

557

 

 

568

 

 

479

 

Amortization of stock-based compensation

 

 

313

 

 

1,616

 

 

26

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

4,208

 

 

4,269

 

 

4,798

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in loans

 

 

(18,572

)

 

(10,702

)

 

(20,678

)

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale

 

 

357

 

 

365

 

 

1,754

 

Purchase of bank-owned life insurance

 

 

 

 

(8,000

)

 

 

Proceeds from maturities and principal reductions of securities available for sale

 

 

1,209

 

 

4,938

 

 

4,967

 

Purchases of securities available for sale

 

 

(1,000

)

 

(568

)

 

(55

)

Purchases of securities held to maturity

 

 

 

 

(1,000

)

 

 

Proceeds from maturities and principal reductions of securities held to maturity

 

 

34

 

 

1,254

 

 

171

 

Proceeds from sale of real estate owned

 

 

 

 

41

 

 

98

 

Purchases of premises and equipment, net

 

 

(1,077

)

 

(2,114

)

 

(507

)

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(19,049

)

 

(15,786

)

 

(14,250

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in time deposits

 

 

6,808

 

 

103

 

 

(2,656

)

Increase (decrease) in other deposits

 

 

219

 

 

(5,566

)

 

(4,663

)

Stock offering and conversion

 

 

 

 

 

 

55,462

 

Repayments of borrowings

 

 

(3,239

)

 

(2,402

)

 

(12,469

)

Advances on borrowings

 

 

23,400

 

 

13,200

 

 

3,000

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(10,181

)

 

(17,818

)

 

 

Dividends

 

 

(2,518

)

 

(2,622

)

 

(2,046

)

Exercise of stock options and related tax benefits

 

 

512

 

 

245

 

 

130

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

15,001

 

 

(14,860

)

 

36,758

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

160

 

 

(26,377

)

 

27,306

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

7,858

 

 

34,235

 

 

6,929

 

 

 



 



 



 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

8,018

 

$

7,858

 

$

34,235

 

 

 



 



 



 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


ROME BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)

Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Other non-cash activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement of 1,747,266 treasury shares

 

$

 

$

 

$

8,963

 

Transfers from loans to real estate owned

 

 

52

 

 

99

 

 

83

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

 

4,802

 

 

3,517

 

 

3,044

 

Income taxes

 

 

1,056

 

 

1,940

 

 

1,850

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

(1)

Business

 

 

 

 

Rome Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a registered savings and loan holding company, organized under the laws of Delaware and is the parent company of The Rome Savings Bank and subsidiaries (the “Bank”). The Company provides traditional community banking services for individuals and small-to medium-sized businesses, through the Bank’s five branches in Oneida County of New York State.

 

 

 

(2)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

 

 

 

(a)

Basis of Presentation

 

 

 

 

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Amounts in the prior year’s consolidated financial statements are reclassified when necessary to conform with the current year’s presentation. A description of the significant accounting policies is presented below. To prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. generally accepted accounting principles), management makes estimates and assumptions based on the available information. Management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the period. Significant estimates include the allowance for loan losses, valuation of securities, deferred tax assets and employee benefit obligations. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

 

 

 

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Rome Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

 

 

 

 

(b)

Securities

 

 

 

 

 

The Company classifies its debt securities as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity as the Company does not hold any securities considered to be trading. Held-to-maturity securities are those debt securities the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. All other debt securities are classified as available for sale.

 

 

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and reported as accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of shareholders’ equity, until realized.

 

 

 

 

 

A decline in the fair value of an available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below cost that is deemed to be other than temporary is charged to earnings resulting in the establishment of a new cost basis for the security.

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related security as an adjustment to yield using the interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Purchases and sales are recorded on a trade date basis with settlement occurring shortly thereafter. Realized gains and losses on securities sold are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold.



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

(c)

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Stock

 

 

 

 

 

The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

 

 

 

 

(d)

Loans

 

 

 

 

 

Loans are reported at the principal amount outstanding net of loans in process, net deferred loan fess and costs and an allowance for loan losses. Origination fees and certain direct origination costs related to lending activities are deferred and amortized over the life of the related loans. The Company has the ability and intent to hold its loans for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff.

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on loans is accrued and included in income at contractual rates applied to principal outstanding. The accrual of interest on loans (including impaired loans) is generally discontinued, and previously accrued interest is reversed, when loan payments are 90 days or more past due, or when, by the judgment of management, collectibility becomes uncertain. Subsequent recognition of income occurs only to the extent that payment is received. Loans are generally returned to an accrual status when both principal and interest become current and the loan is determined to be performing in accordance with the applicable loan terms.

 

 

 

 

(e)

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

 

 

 

 

The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. The allowance for loan losses is increased by the provision for loan losses charged to operations and is decreased by the charge-off of loans, net of recoveries. Loans are charged off when management determines that ultimate success of the loan’s collectibility is remote.

 

 

 

 

 

Management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance considers the Company’s historical loan loss experience, review of specific loans, current economic conditions and such other factors considered appropriate to estimate losses. Management uses presently available information to estimate probable losses on loans; however, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in estimates, assumptions or economic conditions. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses and may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examination.

 

 

 

 

 

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired or loans otherwise classified as substandard or doubtful. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors.

 

 

 

 

 

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a quarterly basis by management in order to maintain the allowance at a level sufficient to absorb probable incurred loan losses based upon known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio.

 

 

 

 

 

The Company estimates losses on impaired loans based on the present value of expected future cash flows (discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate) or the fair value of the



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

 

underlying collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. An impairment loss exists if the recorded investment in a loan exceeds the value of the loan as measured by the aforementioned methods. Impairment losses are included as a component of the allowance for loan losses. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Generally, all commercial mortgage loans and commercial loans greater than $250,000 in a non-accrual status are considered impaired. Commercial mortgage loans and commercial loans less than $250,000 and all residential mortgage loans, consumer loans and education loans are evaluated collectively by portfolio since they are homogeneous and generally carry smaller individual balances. The Company recognizes interest income on impaired loans using the cash basis of income recognition. Cash receipts on impaired loans are generally applied according to the terms of the loan agreement, or as a reduction of principal, based upon management’s judgment and the related factors discussed above.

 

 

 

 

(f)

Real Estate Owned

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure is recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell. Write-downs from cost to fair value which are required at the time of foreclosure are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Adjustments to the carrying value of such properties that result from subsequent declines in value are charged to operations in the period in which the declines occur. Operating costs associated with the properties are charged to expense as incurred.

 

 

 

 

(g)

Premises and Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

Land is carried at cost and buildings and improvements and furniture and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (7 to 40 years for buildings and 3 to 10 years for furniture and equipment).

 

 

 

 

(h)

Employee Benefit Plans

 

 

 

 

 

The Company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan that covers approximately 60% of all current full time employees. The Company’s Board of Directors amended the plan in December of 2002 to cease the accrual of any further benefits. The benefits under the pension plan are based on the employee’s years of service and compensation. Pension expense is the net of service cost and interest cost, return on plan assets and amortization of gains and loses not immediately recognized. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute annually at least the minimum required to meet the funding standards set forth under provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

 

 

 

 

The Company provides health care and life insurance benefits to certain retired full time employees. The estimated costs of providing benefits are accrued over the years the employees render services necessary to earn those benefits.

 

 

 

 

 

The Company has a defined contribution 401(k) Savings Plan for all employees. Employees are permitted to contribute up to 75% of base pay to the Savings Plan, subject to certain limitations. The Company matches 50% of each employee’s contributions up to a limit of 3% of the employee’s base pay.

 

 

 

 

 

The Company also sponsors a non-contributory Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) covering substantially all full time employees. The number of shares allocable to Plan



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

 

participants is determined by the Board of Directors. Allocations to individual participant accounts are based on participant compensation. As shares are committed to be released to participants, the Company reports compensation expense equal to the current market price of the shares and the shares become outstanding for earnings per share computations. Dividends on allocated shares reduce retained earnings; dividends on unallocated ESOP shares reduce debt and accrued interest.

 

 

 

 

(i)

Income Taxes

 

 

 

 

 

The Company and its subsidiary file a consolidated tax return. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

 

 

 

 

(j)

Stock Option Plan

 

 

 

 

 

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, using the modified prospective transition method. Accordingly, the Company has recorded stock-based compensation cost using the fair value method starting in 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

Prior to January 1, 2006, employee compensation expense under stock options was reported using the intrinsic value method; therefore no stock-based compensation cost is reflected in net income for the year ended December 31, 2005, as all options granted had an exercise price equal to or greater than the market price of the underlying common stock at date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if expense was measured using the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based compensation for the year ending December 31, 2005.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

3,402

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add: Stock based compensation expense included in
net income, net of related tax expense

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deduct: Total stock based compensation expense
determined under fair value method, net of related
tax expense

 

 

(35

)

 

 



 

Pro forma

 

$

3,384

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.37

 

Pro forma

 

$

0.37

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.36

 

Pro forma

 

$

0.36

 



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

(k)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, and federal funds sold which represents short-term highly liquid investments. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions, and federal funds purchased agreements.

 

 

 

 

(l)

Financial Instruments With Off-Balance Sheet Risk

 

 

 

 

 

The Company’s off-balance sheet financial instruments are limited to commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. The Company’s policy is to record such instruments when funded.

 

 

 

 

(m)

Earnings Per Share

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Unallocated shares held by the Company’s ESOP and unvested RRP shares are not included in the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Stock options and unvested stock grants are regarded as common stock equivalents and are considered in earnings per share calculations if dilutive using the treasury stock method.

 

 

 

 

(n)

Segment Reporting

 

 

 

 

 

The Company’s operations are solely in the financial services industry providing traditional community banking services in the geographical region of Oneida County and surrounding areas in New York State. The Company has determined that it has no reportable segments as defined by SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.

 

 

 

 

(o)

Bank Owned Life Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain key officers and employees. Under adoption of EITF 06-5, which is discussed further below, Company owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement. Prior to the adoption of EITF 06-5, the Company recorded owned life insurance at its cash surrender value.

 

 

 

 

 

In September 2006, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force finalized Issue No. 06-5, Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance – Determining the Amount That Could be Realized in Accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin No 85-7 (Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance. This Issue requires that a policyholder consider contractual terms of a life insurance policy in determining the amount that could be realized under the insurance contract. It also requires that if the contract provides for a greater surrender value if all individual policies in a group are surrendered at the same time, that the surrender value be determined based on the assumption that the policies will be surrendered on an individual basis. Lastly, the Issue requires disclosure when there are contractual restrictions on the Company’s ability to surrender a policy. The adoption of EITF 06-5 on January 1, 2007 had no impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

(p)

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

 

 

 

 

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. See the discussion above under Stock Option Plan for further discussion of the effect of adopting this standard.

 

 

 

 

 

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (SAB 108),which was effective for fiscal years ending on or after November 15, 2006. SAB 108 provides guidance on how the effects of prior-year uncorrected financial statement misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. SAB 108 required public companies to quantify misstatements using both an income statement (rollover) and balance sheet (iron curtain) approach and evaluate whether either approach results in a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. If prior year errors that had been previously considered immaterial now are considered material based on either approach, no restatement is required so long as management properly applied its previous approach and all relevant facts and circumstances were considered. Adjustments considered immaterial in prior years under the method previously used, but now considered material under the dual approach required by SAB 108, are to be recorded upon initial adoption of SAB 108. The amount so recorded is shown as a cumulative effect adjustment and is recorded in opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2006. The Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment that decreased retained earnings in the amount of $206,000, which was comprised of a reduction of reserves for income and franchise taxes in the amount of $204,000, offset by corrections to increase payroll and benefit accruals in the amount of $410,000, net of taxes.

 

 

 

 

 

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), as of January 1, 2007. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The adoption had no affect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

 

 

 

(q)

Newly Issued But Not Yet Effective Accounting Pronouncements

 

 

 

 

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement establishes a fair value hierarchy about the assumptions used to measure fair value and clarifies assumptions about risk and the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The impact of adoption was not material. In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) 157- 2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. This FSP delays the effective date of FAS 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The impact of adoption is not expected to be material.

 

 

 

 

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The standard provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2008. The Company did not elect the fair value option for any financial assets or financial liabilities as of January 1, 2008.

 

 

 

In September 2006, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force finalized Issue No. 06-4, Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements. This issue requires that a liability be recorded during the service period when a split-dollar life insurance agreement continues after participants’ employment or retirement. The required accrued liability will be based on either the post-employment benefit cost for the continuing life insurance or based on the future death benefit depending on the contractual terms of the underlying agreement. This issue is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. The impact of adoption was not material.



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

(3)

Securities


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities are summarized as follows (In thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
unrealized
losses

 

Fair
value

 

 

 

 


 

 

Available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State and municipal obligations

 

$

1,255

 

$

29

 

$

 

$

1,284

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FNMA

 

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

45

 

 

FHLMC

 

 

259

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

261

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

Total debt securities

 

 

1,559

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

1,590

 

 

 

Equity and other securities

 

 

1,137

 

 

 

 

53

 

 

1,084

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

$

2,696

 

$

31

 

$

53

 

$

2,674

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

Held-to-maturity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government securities

 

$

1,001

 

$

47

 

$

 

$

1,048

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GNMA

 

 

14

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

FHLMC

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

Other bonds

 

 

131

 

 

 

 

 

 

131

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

$

1,147

 

$

48

 

$

 

$

1,195

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
value

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

Available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government agencies

 

$

383

 

$

14

 

$

 

$

397

 

 

State and municipal obligations

 

 

2,335

 

 

42

 

 

 

 

2,377

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FNMA

 

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

58

 

 

FHLMC

 

 

336

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

339

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Total debt securities

 

 

3,112

 

 

59

 

 

 

 

3,171

 

 

 

Equity and other securities

 

 

1,137

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

1,148

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

$

4,249

 

$

70

 

$

 

$

4,319

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Held-to-maturity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government securities

 

$

1,001

 

$

 

$

4

 

$

997

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GNMA

 

 

28

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

29

 

 

FHLMC

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

Other bonds

 

 

147

 

 

 

 

 

 

147

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

$

1,178

 

$

1

 

$

4

 

$

1,175

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

At December 31, 2007, the Company’s investment in an equity fund had an unrealized loss of $53,000. This investment was first in an unrealized loss position in late December of 2007. The unrealized loss represents aggregate depreciation of 7.2% of the Company’s amortized cost basis in the security. Management has reviewed the investment and its relation to the overall market and has determined that at December 31, 2007 the unrealized loss was of a temporary nature. Accordingly, the unrealized loss on this investment has not been recognized into income.

 

 

 

The following table presents the amortized cost and fair value of debt securities based on the contractual maturity date (in thousands). Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations without call or prepayment penalties.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

 

 


 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 


 


 

Available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due within one year

 

$

865

 

$

872

 

Due after one year through five years

 

 

408

 

 

417

 

Due after five years through ten years

 

 

286

 

 

301

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

1,559

 

$

1,590

 

 

 



 



 

Held-to-maturity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due within one year

 

$

 

$

 

Due after one year through five years

 

 

1,016

 

 

1,064

 

Due after five years through ten years

 

 

 

 

 

Due after ten years

 

 

131

 

 

131

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

1,147

 

$

1,195

 

 

 



 



 


 

 

 

Gross gains of $11,000, $11,000 and $105,000 were realized on sales of securities in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

 

 

Securities pledged at year end 2007 and 2006 had a carrying amount of $1.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively. These securities collateralize state and Treasury department programs. At year end 2007 and 2006, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of shareholders’ equity.



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

(4)

Loans

 

 

 

Loans are summarized as follows (in thousands) at December 31:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

Mortgage loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential (1-4 family)

 

$

149,702

 

$

135,078

 

Commercial

 

 

49,795

 

 

54,493

 

Construction and land

 

 

5,258

 

 

2,562

 

 

 



 



 

Total Mortgage loans

 

 

204,755

 

 

192,133

 

 

 



 



 

 

Other loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

29,127

 

 

24,189

 

Automobile loans

 

 

16,009

 

 

17,779

 

Property improvement and equipment

 

 

15,829

 

 

15,536

 

Other consumer

 

 

17,232

 

 

14,900

 

 

 



 



 

Total Other loans

 

 

78,197

 

 

72,404

 

 

 



 



 

Total Loans

 

$

282,952

 

$

264,537

 

 

 



 



 


 

 

 

The Company serviced loans for third parties totaling $6,690,000 and $4,830,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006 respectively.

 

 

 

Changes in the allowance for loan losses are summarized as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years ended
December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

1,965

 

$

1,960

 

$

2,000

 

Provision charged to operations

 

 

50

 

 

147

 

 

115

 

Loans charged off

 

 

(233

)

 

(372

)

 

(687

)

Recoveries

 

 

128

 

 

230

 

 

532

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

1,910

 

$

1,965

 

$

1,960

 

 

 



 



 



 


 

 

 

The Company’s recorded investment in loans that are considered impaired totaled $180,000 and $318,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. These impaired loans carried allowances of $45,000 and $177,000, at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The average recorded investment in impaired loans was $224,000, $228,000 and $247,000 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company recognized no interest on impaired loans during the three years ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

The principal balances of loans not accruing interest amounted to $968,000 and $1.1 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Loans 90 days past due and accruing interest amounted to $35,000 and $8,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The differences between the amount of interest income that would have been recorded if non-accrual loans had been paid in accordance with their original terms and the amount of interest income that was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $78,000, $75,800 and $62,500, respectively. There are no commitments to extend further credit on non-accruing loans.



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

A substantial portion of the Company’s loans are mortgage and consumer loans in Oneida County. Accordingly, the ultimate collectibility of a substantial portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in market conditions in this area. A majority of the Company’s loan portfolio is secured by real estate. Other than general economic risks, management is not aware of any material concentrations of credit risk to any industry or individual borrower.

 

 

(5)

Premises and Equipment

 

 

 

Premises and equipment at December 31 are summarized as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

Land

 

$

2,648

 

$

2,547

 

Buildings and improvements

 

 

6,200

 

 

5,713

 

Furniture and equipment

 

 

7,813

 

 

7,324

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

16,661

 

 

15,584

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

10,093

 

 

9,512

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

6,568

 

$

6,072

 

 

 



 



 


 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense included in building, occupancy and equipment expense amounted to $587,000, $548,000 and $515,000 during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

 

(6)

Deposits

 

 

 

Contractual maturities of time deposits at December 31 are summarized as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Within one year

 

$

46,446

 

 

 

 

One through two years

 

 

18,017

 

 

 

 

Two through three years

 

 

5,084

 

 

 

 

Three through four years

 

 

2,546

 

 

 

 

Four through five years

 

 

1,116

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Total time deposits

 

$

73,209

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, time deposits with balances of $100,000 or more totaled approximately $14,969,000 and $13,110,000, respectively.



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

Interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31 is summarized as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

Savings

 

$

454

 

$

657

 

$

703

 

Money market

 

 

139

 

 

88

 

 

55

 

Time

 

 

2,834

 

 

2,276

 

 

1,820

 

Other interest bearing

 

 

65

 

 

69

 

 

65

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

$

3,492

 

$

3,090

 

$

2,643

 

 

 



 



 



 


 

 

(7)

Borrowings

 

 

 

The Company is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLB). As a member, the Company is required to own capital stock in the FHLB and is authorized to apply for advances from the FHLB. Each advance is payable at its maturity date with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances. The Company has a blanket pledge on their one-to-four family mortgage loans as collateral for these borrowings. The following is a summary of advances and amortizing notes from the FHLB at December 31 (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

Bearing interest at 3.67% fixed, due 7/3/15

 

$

2,065

 

$

2,294

 

Bearing interest at 3.36% fixed, due 7/3/13

 

 

3,341

 

 

3,868

 

Bearing interest at 3.59% fixed, due 11/26/08

 

 

1,927

 

 

2,210

 

Bearing interest at 3.95% fixed, due 12/21/09

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

Bearing interest at 3.90% fixed, due 12/31/09

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

FHLB Overnight Line of Credit, bearing interest at 3.61% and 5.41%

 

 

23,000

 

 

11,800

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

40,333

 

$

20,172

 

 

 



 



 


 

 

 

The following table summarizes the combined aggregate amount of maturities for the above advances and notes for each of the five years after December 31, 2007, as well as remaining maturities beyond five years:


 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year

 

$

25,709

 

Due one through two years

 

 

10,809

 

Due two through three years

 

 

838

 

Due three through four years

 

 

867

 

Due four through five years

 

 

898

 

Due past five years

 

 

1,212

 

 

 



 

Total

 

$

40,333

 

 

 



 


 

 

 

At December 31, 2007, the Company had additional availability on its FHLB line of credit of $37.4 million. This line of credit is subject to periodic review and renewal.



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

(8)

Income Taxes

 

 

 

The components of income tax expense (benefit) attributable to income from operations for the years ended December 31 consist of (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

1,539

 

$

1,959

 

$

1,661

 

State

 

 

106

 

 

141

 

 

88

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

1,645

 

 

2,100

 

 

1,749

 

 

 



 



 



 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

(38

)

 

(598

)

 

155

 

State

 

 

(1

)

 

(164

)

 

127

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

(37

)

 

(762

)

 

282

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total income tax expense

 

$

1,608

 

$

1,338

 

$

2,031

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Actual tax expense differs from “expected” tax expense, computed by applying the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate of 34% to income before income taxes for the years ended December 31, as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

Computed “expected” tax expense

 

$

1,585

 

$

1,301

 

$

1,847

 

Increases (decreases) in income taxes resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State taxes, net of Federal tax benefit

 

 

71

 

 

(16

)

 

126

 

Tax exempt interest

 

 

(33

)

 

(47

)

 

(98

)

Tax exempt increase in cash surrender value of life insurance

 

 

(130

)

 

(73

)

 

 

Non-deductible ESOP expense

 

 

107

 

 

119

 

 

87

 

Non-deductible stock option expense

 

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

Other, net

 

 

8

 

 

9

 

 

69

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,608

 

$

1,338

 

$

2,031

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

34.5

%

 

35.0

%

 

37.4

%

 

 



 



 



 



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities for December 31 are (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

$

654

 

$

671

 

Accrued postretirement benefits

 

 

950

 

 

920

 

Deferred compensation

 

 

779

 

 

704

 

Stock-based compensation and benefits

 

 

607

 

 

642

 

Unrealized losses on available for sale securities

 

 

8

 

 

 

Other

 

 

97

 

 

39

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

 

 

3,095

 

 

2,976

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

147

 

 

202

 

Prepaid pension cost

 

 

726

 

 

429

 

Undistributed income of subsidiary

 

 

51

 

 

69

 

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

28

 

Deferred loan costs

 

 

126

 

 

72

 

Other

 

 

17

 

 

14

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

 

 

1,067

 

 

814

 

 

 



 



 

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

2,028

 

$

2,162

 

 

 



 



 

Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income or the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryback period. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considers the scheduled reversal of the deferred tax liabilities, the level of historical taxable income and projected future taxable income over the periods in which the temporary differences comprising the deferred tax assets will be deductible. Management believes that no valuation allowance is necessary.

In accordance with SFAS No. 109, the Company has not recognized deferred tax liabilities with respect to Rome Savings’ Federal and state base-year reserves of approximately $3.4 million at December 31, 2007, since the Company does not expect that these amounts will become taxable in the foreseeable future. Under the tax laws, as amended, events that would result in taxation of these reserves include redemptions of Rome Savings’ stock or certain excess distributions to the Holding Company. The unrecognized deferred tax liability at December 31, 2007 with respect to the base-year reserve was approximately $1.3 million.

The adoption of FIN 48 at January 1, 2007 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. At January 1, 2007 (date of adoption) and December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $20,000 and $53,000, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits and interest. As of December 31, 2007, $53,000 of these tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. As of December 31, 2007, accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions was $11,000, net of the related tax benefit. The Company accounts for interest and


Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of its provision for federal and state income taxes.

 

 

 

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as New York state income tax. The Company is no longer subject to federal examination for years prior to 2004. The Company’s 2002-2005 New York state income tax returns are presently under examination. The tax years 2004-2006 remain open to federal examination and the 2006 tax year remains open to state examination. Management does not anticipate the state examination will result in an unfavorable material change to its financial position. However, the Company does anticipate that a reduction in unrecognized tax benefits of up to $53,000 may occur in the next twelve months from the outcome of the state examination.

 

 

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and the federal income tax benefit of unrecognized state tax benefits) is as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2007

 

$

15

 

 

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

 

 

 

 

Additions based on tax positions of prior years

 

 

49

 

 

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

 

 

 

 

Reductions due to statute of limitations

 

 

 

 

Settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Balance at December 31, 2007

 

$

64

 

 

 

 



 



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

(9)

Pension and Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the changes in the Company’s pension and postretirement plans’ accumulated benefit obligations, fair value of assets and funded status and amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2007 and 2006:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension benefits

 

Postretirement benefits

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

Change in benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

7,192

 

$

7,381

 

$

2,354

 

$

2,353

 

 

Service cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

25

 

 

Interest cost

 

 

430

 

 

424

 

 

140

 

 

135

 

 

Amendments and settlements

 

 

(328

)

 

(38

)

 

 

 

 

 

Actuarial(gain)/ loss

 

 

(104

)

 

(239

)

 

(23

)

 

(134

)

 

Benefits paid

 

 

(220

)

 

(336

)

 

(103

)

 

(70

)

 

Participant contributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

47

 

 

45

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

 

6,970

 

 

7,192

 

 

2,440

 

 

2,354

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Change in plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

 

8,326

 

 

8,058

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

1,091

 

 

642

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employer contributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

56

 

 

25

 

 

Settlements

 

 

(328

)

 

(38

)

 

 

 

 

 

Participant contributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

47

 

 

45

 

 

Benefits paid

 

 

(220

)

 

(336

)

 

(103

)

 

(70

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

 

8,869

 

 

8,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funded status at end of year (plan assets less benefit obligations

 

$

1,899

 

$

1,134

 

$

(2,440

)

$

(2,354

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

          Assumptions as of measurement dates: Pension September 30; Postretirement December 31:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

 

6.25

%

 

6.125

%

 

6.25

%

 

6.125

%

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

9.00

%

 

9.00

%

 

 

 

 

 

Rate of compensation increase

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

          Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (net of tax) at December 31 consist of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

Net actuarial gain (loss)

 

$

(425

)

$

(728

)

$

33

 

$

33

 

 

Prior service credit (cost)

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

 

 

19

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Total

 

$

(425

)

$

(728

)

$

61

 

$

52

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


 

 

 

The estimated prior service credit that will be amortized from other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year is $8,000.

 

 

 

The long term rate of return on plan assets assumption was set based on historical returns earned by equities and fixed income securities, adjusted to reflect expectations of future returns as applied to the plan’s target allocation of asset classes. Equities and fixed income securities were assumed to earn real rates of return in the ranges of 5-9% and 2-6%, respectively. The long term inflation rate was estimated to be 3%. When these overall return expectations are applied to the plan’s target allocation, the expected rate of return is determined to be 9%, which is roughly the midpoint of the range of expected return.



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

The Company’s pension plan weighted average allocations at September 30, 2007 and 2006, by asset category are summarized in the following table:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan assets at September 30,

 

 

 

 


 

 

Asset Category

 

2007

 

2006

 

 


 


 


 

 

Equity Securities

 

70

%

 

73

%

 

 

Debt Securities

 

30

%

 

27

%

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

 

Total

 

100

%

 

100

%

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

The Company’s long-term investment objective is to be invested 65% in equity securities and 35% in debt securities. Plan assets are invested in six diversified investment funds of the RSI Retirement Trust (the “Trust”), a no load series open-ended mutual fund. The Trust has been given discretion by the Plan Sponsor to determine the appropriate strategic asset allocation versus plan liabilities as governed by the Trust’s Statement of Investment Objectives and Guidelines (the “Guidelines”). If the plan is underfunded under the Guidelines, the bond fund will be temporarily increased to 50% in order to lessen asset volatility. When the plan is no longer underfunded, the bond fund portion will be decreased back to 35%. Asset rebalancing is performed at least annually, with interim adjustments made when the investment mix varies more than 10% from the target.

 

 

 

This investment goal is to achieve investment results that will contribute to the proper funding of the pension plan by exceeding the rate of inflation over the long term. Performance volatility is also monitored. Risk volatility is further managed by the distinct investment objectives of each of the Trust funds and the diversification within each fund.

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Company expects to make no contributions to the pension plan. The following estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset Category

 

Pension Benefits

 

Postretirement
Benefits

 

 


 


 


 

 

Fiscal 2008

 

 

$

455

 

 

 

$

170

 

 

 

Fiscal 2009

 

 

 

466

 

 

 

 

147

 

 

 

Fiscal 2010

 

 

 

475

 

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

Fiscal 2011

 

 

 

488

 

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

Fiscal 2012

 

 

 

508

 

 

 

 

164

 

 

 

Fiscal 2013-2017

 

 

 

2,678

 

 

 

 

843

 

 



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income include the following:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension benefits

 

Postretirement benefits

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

25

 

$

25

 

$

31

 

 

Interest cost

 

 

430

 

 

424

 

 

417

 

 

140

 

 

135

 

 

148

 

 

Expected return on assets

 

 

(734

)

 

(710

)

 

(655

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization

 

 

42

 

 

69

 

 

66

 

 

(8

)

 

(8

)

 

(1

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Net periodic (benefit) cost

 

 

(262

)

 

(217

)

 

(172

)

 

157

 

 

152

 

 

178

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss (gain)

 

 

(504

)

 

 

 

 

 

(24

)

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service cost (credit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Total recognized in other comprehensive income

 

 

(504

)

 

 

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income

 

$

(766

)

$

(217

)

$

(172

)

$

141

 

$

152

 

$

178

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 


 

 

 

In December of 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors amended the defined benefit pension plan to cease the accrual of further benefits. There is no assumed increase in the per capita cost of current health care benefits since the employer contributions are fixed with the retiree paying for any cost increases.

 

 

(10)

Stock Option Plan

 

 

 

On May 3, 2000, the Company’s shareholders approved the Rome Bancorp, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan (the “2000 Stock Option Plan”). The primary objective of the 2000 Stock Option Plan is to provide officers and directors with a proprietary interest in the Company and an incentive to encourage such persons to remain with the Company.

 

 

 

Under the 2000 Stock Option Plan, 517,952 shares of authorized but unissued common stock are reserved for issuance upon option exercises. The Company also has the alternative to fund the 2000 Stock Option Plan with treasury stock. Options under the plan may be either non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options. Each option entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. On June 28, 2000, 382,357 options were awarded at an exercise price of $2.19 per share. These options have a ten-year term and vested at a rate of 20% per year from the grant date. At December 31, 2007 and 2006 the remaining contractual life of these options was 2.5 years and 3.5 years, respectively.

 

 

 

On May 3, 2006, the Company’s shareholders approved the Rome Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Stock Option Plan”), which also has the primary objective of providing officers and directors with a proprietary interest in the Company and an incentive to encourage such persons to remain with the Company. Under the 2006 Stock Option Plan, 590,000 shares of authorized but unissued common stock are reserved for issuance upon option exercises. The Company also has the alternative to fund the 2006 Stock Option Plan with treasury stock. Options under the plan may be either non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options.



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

Each option entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. On May 24, 2006, 354,000 options were awarded at an exercise price of $12.84 per share. These options have a ten-year term and vest at a rate of 20% per year from the grant date. The fair value of the 2006 options awarded was estimated on the date of grant using a closed form option valuation (Black-Scholes) model and the following assumptions: risk free interest rate 4.60%, an expected term of 6.5 years, expected stock price volatility of 8.25% and a dividend yield of 2.52%. At December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 the remaining contractual life of these options was 8.4 years and 9.4 years, respectively.

Under the provisions of FASB No. 123(R), stock-based compensation expense of $1.69 per option granted under the 2006 Stock Option Plan is being recorded over the sooner of the vesting period of the options, or upon the date at which a recipient becomes eligible for normal or early retirement under the Company’s defined benefit plan. At May 24, 2006, certain awardees met the retirement eligibility criteria and accordingly, stock-based compensation expense of $350,000 related to their options was expensed immediately. Total compensation cost related to the Company’s stock option plans was $50,000, $379,000 and $0 for 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Information related to the stock option plans during each year follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intrinsic value of options exercised

 

$

1.7 million

 

$

487,000

 

$

293,000

 

Cash received from option exercises

 

 

356,000

 

 

101,000

 

 

73,000

 

Tax benefit realized from option exercises

 

 

156,000

 

 

144,000

 

 

57,000

 

Weighted average fair value of options granted

 

 

0

 

 

1.69

 

 

0

 

As of December 31, 2007, there was $171,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options granted under the Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.42 years. At December 31, 2007, the intrinsic value of both all outstanding options and exercisable options was $51,000.

The following table presents the stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 


 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

 

 

 


 


 

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

 

524,892

 

$

9.37

 

Exercised

 

 

(165,446

)

 

2.19

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Outstanding at end of year

 

 

359,446

 

$

12.68

 

 

 



 



 

Exercisable at end of year

 

 

76,246

 

$

12.08

 

 

 



 



 

All outstanding stock options are expected to vest.


Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

(11)

Recognition and Retention Plan

The Company’s shareholders approved the Rome Bancorp, Inc. 2000 Recognition and Retention Plan (“2000 RRP”) on May 3, 2000. The purpose of the plan is to promote the long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders by providing a stock-based compensation program to attract and retain officers and directors. During 2000, 119,742 shares were awarded under the 2000 RRP. The shares vested at a rate of 20% per year from the grant date. The fair market value of the shares awarded under the plan was $262,000 at the grant date, and was amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting periods of the underlying shares.

The Company’s shareholders approved the Rome Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Recognition and Retention Plan (“2006 RRP”) on May 3, 2006 in order to further promote the long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders by providing a stock-based compensation program to attract and retain officers and directors.

On May 24, 2006, 168,300 shares were awarded under the 2006 RRP. These shares vest at a rate of 20% per year from the grant date. The fair market value of the shares awarded under the plan was $2.2 million at the grant date, and is being amortized over the sooner of the vesting period of the awards, or upon the date at which a recipient becomes eligible for normal or early retirement under the Company’s defined benefit plan. At May 24, 2006, certain awardees met the retirement eligibility criteria and accordingly, stock-based compensation expense of $1.1 million related to their 2006 RRP awards was expensed immediately. Stock-based compensation expense of $263,000, $1.2 million and $26,000 related to RRP awards was recorded in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The remaining unearned compensation cost has been shown as a reduction of shareholders’ equity. The shares awarded under the RRP were transferred from treasury stock at cost with the difference between the fair market value on the grant date and the cost of the shares recorded as additional paid-in capital.

A summary of changes in the Company’s nonvested shares for the year follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-Average
Grant-Date Fair Value

 

 

 


 


 

Nonvested at January 1, 2007

 

 

168,300

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

33,660

 

$

12.84

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2007

 

 

134,640

 

$

12.84

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2007, there was $662,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares granted under the RRP. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.4 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $416,000, $0 and $241,000.

 

 

(12)

Other Employee Benefits

The Company has a defined contribution 401(k) Savings Plan for all full time salaried employees. Employees are permitted to contribute up to 75% of base pay to the Savings Plan, subject to certain limitations. The Company matches 50% of each employee’s contributions up to a limit of 3% of the employee’s base pay.

Contributions to the defined contribution 401(k) Savings Plan were $77,000, $80,000 and $78,000 during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.


Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

In connection with establishing an ESOP in 1999, the ESOP borrowed $933,000 from the Company to purchase 453,488 shares of the Company’s common stock. The loan bears interest at 8% and is payable in fifteen annual installments. At December 31, 2007, 272,084 of the original ESOP shares had been released or committed to be released of which 181,404 remained as unallocated shares.

 

 

 

On March 30, 2005, in connection with the Company’s second-step conversion and stock offering, the ESOP borrowed $2,360,000 from the Company to purchase an additional 236,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The loan bears interest at 5% and is payable in fifteen annual installments. At December 31, 2007, 47,198 of these shares had been released or committed to be released and 188,802 remained as unallocated shares.

 

 

 

The fair value of the unallocated shares on December 31, 2007 was $4.3 million. The Company recognized compensation expense of $557,000, $568,000 and $479,000 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively in connection with the ESOP.

 

 

 

The Company has also adopted a Benefit Restoration Plan for the Company’s CEO. This plan provides the beneficiary with the benefits that would otherwise be due to him as a participant in the 401(k) plan and the employee stock ownership plan if such benefits were not limited by certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, in the event the beneficiary retires prior to the end of the ESOP loan term, the plan will provide him a benefit equal to the value of the shares of Rome Bancorp that would have been allocated to his account under the ESOP had he remained employed through the end of the ESOP loan term. The liability associated with this plan was $755,000 and $683,000 at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

 

 

(13)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

Comprehensive income represents net income and other comprehensive income (loss) which is the net change in the unrealized gains or losses on securities available-for-sale and unrealized gains and losses on pension and postretirement liabilities, net of taxes. The following summarizes the components of other comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

 

$

439

 

$

(59

)

$

(405

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reclassification adjustment for net realized gain included in net income

 

 

(11

)

 

(11

)

 

(105

)

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive Income (loss), before tax

 

 

428

 

 

(70

)

 

(510

)

 

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

 

 

171

 

 

(28

)

 

(204

)

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

$

257

 

$

(42

)

$

(306

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances net of tax:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at
12/31/06

 

2007
Change

 

Balance at
12/31/07

 

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities

 

$

43

 

$

(55

)

$

(12

)

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on pension and postretirement benefits

 

 

(676

)

 

312

 

 

(364

)

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

$

(633

)

$

257

 

$

(376

)

 

 

 



 



 



 


 

 

(14)

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments consist of commitments to extend credit and involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet. Credit risk represents the accounting loss that would be recognized at the reporting date if obligated counterparties failed completely to perform as contracted. Market risk represents risk that future changes in market prices make financial instruments less valuable.

 

 

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since some of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s evaluation of the customer’s financial position. Collateral held varies, but may include real estate, accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment and income-producing commercial properties. Substantially all commitments to extend credit, if exercised, will represent loans secured by real estate.

 

 

 

At December 31, 2007 and 2006 the Company was committed to originate mortgage and other loans of approximately $8.0 million and $12.1 million, respectively. At December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company’s fixed rate loan commitments totaled $4.0 million and $7.1 million, respectively. The range of interest rates on these fixed rate commitments was 5.375% to 7.0% at December 31, 2007 and 5.875% to 6.8% at December 31, 2006. Commitments under unused lines of credit and letters of credit were approximately $20.1 million and $17.2 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

 

 

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for loan commitments is represented by the contractual or notional amount of these instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. The Company controls its credit risk through credit approvals, limits, and monitoring procedures.

 

 

 

In the normal course of business, there are various outstanding legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, the aggregate amount involved in such proceedings is not material to the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

(15)

Earnings Per Share

 

 

 

The following summarizes the computation of earnings per share for the years ended December 31 (in thousands except per share data):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income available to common shareholders

 

$

3,054

 

$

2,488

 

$

3,402

 

 

 



 



 



 

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

 

 

7,688

 

 

8,527

 

 

9,205

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.37

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income available to common shareholders

 

$

3,054

 

$

2,488

 

$

3,402

 

 

 



 



 



 

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

 

 

7,688

 

 

8,527

 

 

9,205

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

19

 

 

142

 

 

195

 

Unearned RRP shares

 

 

84

 

 

55

 

 

6

 

 

 



 



 



 

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

 

 

7,791

 

 

8,724

 

 

9,406

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.36

 

 

 



 



 



 


 

 

 

Stock options for 354,000, 206,500 and 0 shares of common stock were not considered in computing diluted earnings per common share for 2007, 2006 and 2005 because they were anti-dilutive.

 

 

(16)

Shareholders’ Equity and Regulatory Matters

 

 

 

Rome Savings is required to maintain certain reserves of vault cash and/or deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The amount of this reserve requirement, included in cash on hand, is $1.6 million at December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

The Company’s ability to pay dividends is primarily dependent upon the ability of its subsidiary bank to pay dividends to the Company. The payment of dividends by Rome Savings is subject to continued compliance with minimum regulatory capital requirements. In addition, regulatory approval is generally required prior to Rome Savings declaring dividends in an amount in excess of net income for that year plus net income retained in the preceding two years. Further, under the OTS’ conversion regulations, the Company may not return any capital, other than ordinary dividends, to its stockholders during the three years following the conversion and offering completed in March of 2005.

 

 

 

The Company and Rome Savings are subject to various regulatory requirements administered by the federal banking agencies and Rome Savings is a federal savings bank regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). The Company is a Delaware corporation and is regulated as a savings and loan holding company by the OTS.

 

 

 

Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Rome Savings must meet specific guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary, actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and Bank’s financial statements.

 

 

 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA), established capital levels for which insured institutions are categorized as well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized.

 

 

 

As of October 16, 2006, the most recent notification from the OTS categorized Rome Savings as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective actions. To be categorized as well capitalized, Rome Savings must meet the minimum ratios as set forth in the table below. There have been no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed Rome Savings’ category. Management believes, as of December 31, 2007, that the Company and Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

 

 

 

The Qualified Thrift lender test requires at least 65% of assets be maintained in housing-related finance and other specified areas. If this test is not met, limits are placed on growth, branching, new investments, FHLB advances and dividends, or the Bank must convert to a commercial bank charter. Management believes that this test is met.

 

 

 

The following is a summary of Rome Savings’ actual capital amounts and ratios compared to the regulatory minimum capital adequacy requirements and the OTS and FDIC requirements for classification as a well capitalized institution under prompt corrective action provisions (dollars in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

Minimum capital
adequacy
requirements

 

To be classified as
Well-capitalized
under prompt
corrective action
provisions

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

As of December 31, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital (to risk weighted assets):

 

$

65,899

 

 

27.73

%

$

19,011

 

 

>=8

%

$

23,764

 

 

>=10

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets):

 

 

64,315

 

 

27.06

%

 

9,505

 

 

>=4

%

 

14,258

 

 

>=6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Capital (to adjusted assets):

 

 

64,315

 

 

20.24

%

 

9,534

 

 

>=3

%

 

15,889

 

 

>=5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital (to risk weighted assets):

 

$

64,834

 

 

28.9

%

$

17,957

 

 

>=8

%

$

22,447

 

 

>=10

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets):

 

 

63,201

 

 

28.16

%

 

8,979

 

 

>=4

%

 

13,468

 

 

>=6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Capital (to adjusted assets):

 

 

63,201

 

 

21.27

%

 

8,915

 

 

>=3

%

 

14,858

 

 

>=5

%



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

Following is a reconciliation of Rome Savings’ GAAP shareholders’ equity to regulatory Tier 1 capital at December 31, 2007 and 2006.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

 

 

 


 


 

GAAP Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

63,932

 

$

62,514

 

Plus: Minority interest in consolidated subsidiary and
      other comprehensive loss related to SFAS No. 158

 

 

434

 

 

745

 

Less: Disallowed assets and unrealized gains on available-for-
      sale securities, net of tax

 

 

(51

)

 

(58

)

 

 



 



 

Tier 1 Capital

 

 

64,315

 

 

63,201

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus: Allowance for loan losses

 

 

1,910

 

 

1,965

 

         Allowed unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Real estate held for investment

 

 

(326

)

 

(332

)

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Regulatory Capital

 

$

65,899

 

$

64,834

 

 

 



 



 


 

 

(17)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

 

 

The following methods and assumptions were used by Rome Savings in estimating fair values of financial instruments:


 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents: For these short-term instruments that generally mature in ninety days or less, the carrying value approximates fair value.

 

 

 

 

 

Securities: Fair values of securities are based on exchange quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of similar instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock: It is not practicable to determine the value of FHLB stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability.

 

 

 

 

 

Loans: The fair values for all loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit rating. The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable approximates its fair value.

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits: The fair values of demand deposits (interest and non-interest checking) savings accounts and money market accounts are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposits, are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on these products to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings: Fair values of long-term borrowings are estimated using a discounted cash flow approach, based on current market rates for similar borrowings. The fair value of accrued interest approximates carrying value.

 

 

 

 

 

Off-balance-sheet instruments: Fair values for the Company’s off-balance-sheet instruments (lines of credit and commitments to fund loans) are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing. The fair value of these financial instruments is immaterial and has therefore been excluded from the table below.


 

 

 

The estimated carrying values and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments for December 31 are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Carrying
amount

 

Fair
value

 

Carrying
amount

 

Fair
value

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

8,018

 

$

8,018

 

$

7,858

 

$

7,858

 

Securities available for sale

 

 

2,674

 

 

2,674

 

 

4,319

 

 

4,319

 

Securities held to maturity

 

 

1,147

 

 

1,195

 

 

1,178

 

 

1,175

 

Loans, net

 

 

281,042

 

 

281,492

 

 

262,572

 

 

259,388

 

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

 

 

2,344

 

 

 

 

1,344

 

 

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

1,124

 

 

1,124

 

 

1,094

 

 

1,094

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing deposits

 

 

29,509

 

 

29,509

 

 

28,042

 

 

28,042

 

Interest bearing deposits

 

 

173,523

 

 

173,619

 

 

167,963

 

 

167,749

 

Borrowings

 

 

40,333

 

 

40,221

 

 

20,172

 

 

19,778

 

Accrued interest payable

 

 

29

 

 

29

 

 

33

 

 

33

 


 

 

 

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.


 

 

(18)

Parent Company Only Financial Statements

 

 

 

Presented below is the condensed balance sheet of the Parent Company as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and statement of income and statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Balance Sheet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

724

 

$

10,097

 

Investment in subsidiary bank

 

 

63,932

 

 

62,514

 

Loan receivable from ESOP

 

 

2,467

 

 

2,646

 

Other assets

 

 

1,970

 

 

1,916

 

 

 



 



 

Total assets

 

$

69,093

 

$

77,173

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

$

56

 

$

142

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

69,037

 

 

77,031

 

 

 



 



 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

69,093

 

$

77,173

 

 

 



 



 



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statement of Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

Interest and investment income

 

$

301

 

$

497

 

$

466

 

Dividends from subsidiary bank

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total operating income

 

 

3,301

 

 

497

 

 

466

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

680

 

 

2,072

 

 

369

 

 

 



 



 



 

Income (loss) before income taxes and dividends in excess of net income/(equity in undistributed income) of subsidiary bank

 

 

2,621

 

 

(1,575

)

 

97

 

 

 



 



 



 

Equity in undistributed income of subsidiary bank

 

 

433

 

 

4,063

 

 

3,305

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,054

 

$

2,488

 

$

3,402

 

 

 



 



 



 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,054

 

$

2,488

 

$

3,402

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Equity in undistributed earnings of)/dividends in excess of net income of subsidiary bank

 

 

(433

)

 

(4,063

)

 

(3,305

)

Amortization of stock-based compensation

 

 

313

 

 

1,616

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in other assets

 

 

(213

)

 

(742

)

 

483

 

(Decrease) increase in other liabilities

 

 

(86

)

 

(764

)

 

859

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

 

2,635

 

 

(1,465

)

 

1,439

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in subsidiary bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25,653

)

Decrease (increase) in loan to ESOP

 

 

179

 

 

169

 

 

(2,172

)

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

179

 

 

169

 

 

(27,825

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds of common stock offering and conversion

 

 

 

 

 

 

55,462

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(10,181

)

 

(17,818

)

 

 

Dividends

 

 

(2,518

)

 

(2,622

)

 

(2,046

)

Exercise of stock options and related tax benefits

 

 

512

 

 

245

 

 

130

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(12,187

)

 

(20,195

)

 

53,546

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(9,373

)

 

(21,491

)

 

27,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

10,097

 

 

31,588

 

 

4,428

 

 

 



 



 



 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

724

 

$

10,097

 

$

31,588

 

 

 



 



 



 



Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

(19)

Plan of Conversion and Reorganization

On November 11, 2004, the Boards of Directors of Rome, MHC (the “Mutual Holding Company”), the Company and The Rome Savings Bank (the “Bank”) (collectively, “Rome”) unanimously adopted a Plan of Conversion and Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan of Conversion”), under the terms of which Rome undertook a “second-step” conversion (the “Conversion”), and Rome Savings reorganized from the two-tier mutual holding company structure to the stock holding company structure. The Conversion was consummated on March 30, 2005. Prior to the completion of the Conversion, the MHC owned approximately 61.5% of the common stock of the Company.

In connection with the Conversion, the outstanding shares of Rome Bancorp owned by the MHC were sold to the depositors of Rome Savings Bank and other public investors (the “Offering”). Completion of the Conversion and Offering resulted in the issuance of 9.6 million shares of common stock. A total of 5.9 million shares were sold in the subscription, community and syndicated offerings, at $10.00 per share. An additional 3.7 million shares were issued to the former public stockholders of the Company based upon an exchange ratio of 2.26784 new shares for each share of Rome Bancorp common stock held at the close of business on March 30, 2005. Options granted under the Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan and common shares held by the Company’s ESOP and Recognition and Retention Plan prior to the conversion were also exchanged using the conversion ratio of 2.26784.

The Conversion was accounted for as a change in corporate form with no resulting change in the historical basis of the Company’s assets, liabilities and equity. Costs related to the Offering, primarily marketing fees paid to the company’s investment banking firm, professional fees, registration fees, printing and mailing costs were $3.1 million and accordingly, net proceeds were $55.9 million. In addition, as part of the conversion and dissolution of the MHC, Rome Savings received $1.9 million of cash previously held by the MHC. As a result of the Conversion and Offering, Rome Bancorp was succeeded by a new, fully public, Delaware corporation with the same name and the MHC ceased to exist.

Also pursuant to the Plan of Conversion, Rome Savings terminated the liquidation account it established in connection with its mutual holding company reorganization and minority stock issuance and such account was replaced by a new liquidation account created by Rome Savings as of March 30, 2005. The new “liquidation account” will be for the benefit of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders (as those terms are defined in the plan of conversion) in an amount equal to the greater of (i) Rome, MHC ownership interest in the retained earnings of the Company as of the date of its latest balance sheet contained in the Conversion, or (ii) the retained earnings of Rome Savings at the time that Rome Savings reorganized into the Mutual Holding Company in 1999. Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder that continues to maintain his or her deposit account at Rome Savings would be entitled, in the event of a complete liquidation of Rome Savings after the conversion, to a pro rata interest in the liquidation account prior to any payment to the stockholders of the new holding company. The liquidation account will be reduced annually on December 31 to the extent that Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders have reduced their qualifying deposits as of each anniversary date. Subsequent increases in deposits will not restore such account holder’s interest in the liquidation account. Subsequent to the Conversion, Rome Savings may not pay cash dividends or make other capital distributions if the effect thereof would be to reduce its stockholders’ equity below the amount of the liquidation account.


Rome Bancorp, Inc and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

(20)

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Selected quarterly financial data for 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 Quarter Ending

 

 

 


 

 

 

March 31,

 

June 30,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

$

3,299

 

$

3,277

 

$

3,253

 

$

3,292

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

 

3,299

 

 

3,277

 

 

3,253

 

 

3,242

 

Net income

 

 

837

 

 

747

 

 

803

 

 

667

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.09

 

Diluted

 

 

0.10

 

 

0.09

 

 

0.11

 

 

0.09

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Quarter Ending

 

 

 


 

 

 

March 31,

 

June 30,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

$

3,622

 

$

3,534

 

$

3,408

 

$

3,372

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

 

3,507

 

 

3,534

 

 

3,383

 

 

3,365

 

Net income (loss) (1)

 

 

808

 

 

(77

)

 

919

 

 

838

 

Earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

$

0.09

 

$

(0.01

)

$

0.11

 

$

0.11

 

Diluted

 

 

0.09

 

 

(0.01

)

 

0.11

 

 

0.10

 


 

 

(1)

Stock-based compensation of $972,000 net of tax, was recognized in the second quarter of 2006.



 

 

 

Directors of Rome Bancorp, Inc. & The Rome Savings Bank

 

Executive Officers of The Rome Savings Bank

 

 

 

Charles M. Sprock

 

Charles M. Sprock

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Bruce R. Engelbert

 

David C. Nolan

Retired, Former Owner and President, Engelberts Jewelers, Inc.

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

David C. Grow

 

D. Bruce Fraser

Partner, law firm of McMahon & Grow

 

Vice President, Human Resources, Security, Compliance

 

 

 

Kirk B. Hinman

 

Mary Faith Messenger

President, Rome Strip Steel Company, Inc.

 

Vice President and Controller

 

 

 

Dale A. Laval

 

Sandra L. Reader

Retired Chairman, Independent Audit Associates, Inc.

 

Vice President, Consumer Loans

 

 

 

John A. Reinhardt

 

James F. Sullivan

Retired, Former Executive Director of the Madison County Industrial Development Agency

 

Vice President, Senior Loan Officer

 

 

 

Michael J. Valentine

 

Francis C. Thalmann

Chairman and President, Mele Manufacturing Company, Inc.

 

Vice President, Operations and Branch Administration

 

 

 

Crystal M. Seymore

Corporate Secretary



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MYCY0`]M?,?*`'MKYCY0`]M?,?*`'MKYCY0`]M?,?*`'MKYCY0`]M?,?*`'MK MYCY0`]M?,?*`'MKYCY0`]M?,?*`'MKYCY0`]M?,?*`'MKYCY0`]M?,?*`'MK MYCY0`]M?,?*`'MKYCY0`]M?,?*`'MKYCY0`]M?,?*`'MKYCY0`]M?,?*`'MK @YCY0`]M?,?*`(=9ZW^B9FFZ%HM"O/S=);99ALM`?_]D_ ` end EX-23.1 4 c52661_ex23-1.htm

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements No. 333-36282 and No. 333-134275 on Form S-8 of Rome Bancorp, Inc. of our reports dated March 7, 2008 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Rome Bancorp, Inc. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which reports appear in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Rome Bancorp, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

        /S/Crowe Chizek and Company LLC

 


 

Crowe Chizek and Company LLC

Cleveland, Ohio

 

March 7, 2008

 



EX-31.1 5 c52661_ex31-1.htm

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

 

 

 

I, Charles M. Sprock, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Rome Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”);

 

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the consolidated financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report.

 

 

 

4.

The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

 

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

 

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

5.

The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


 

 

 

Date:  March 7, 2008

 

/s/ Charles M. Sprock

 

 


 

 

Charles M. Sprock

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer



EX-31.2 6 c52661_ex31-2.htm

Exhibit 31.2

 

 

 

I, David C. Nolan, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Rome Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”);

 

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the consolidated financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report.

 

 

 

4.

The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

 

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

 

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

5.

The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


 

 

 

Date:  March 7, 2008

 

/s/ David C. Nolan

 

 


 

 

David C. Nolan

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



EX-32.1 7 c52661_ex32-1.htm

Exhibit 32.1

STATEMENT FURNISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002, 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

          The undersigned, Charles M. Sprock, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Rome Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”). This statement is being furnished in connection with the filing by the Company of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (the “Report”).

          By execution of this statement, I certify that:

 

 

 

 

 

 

A)

the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)) and

 

 

 

 

 

 

B)

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods covered by the Report.

          This statement is authorized to be attached as an exhibit to the Report so that this statement will accompany the Report at such time as the Report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. It is not intended that this statement be deemed to be filed for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

          A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

 

Date: March 7, 2008

 

/s/ Charles M. Sprock

 

 


 

 

Charles M. Sprock

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer



EX-32.2 8 c52661_ex32-2.htm

Exhibit 32.2

STATEMENT FURNISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002, 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

          The undersigned, David C. Nolan, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Rome Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”). This statement is being furnished in connection with the filing by the Company of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (the “Report”).

          By execution of this statement, I certify that:

 

 

 

 

 

 

A)

the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)) and

 

 

 

 

 

 

B)

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods covered by the Report.

          This statement is authorized to be attached as an exhibit to the Report so that this statement will accompany the Report at such time as the Report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. It is not intended that this statement be deemed to be filed for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

          A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request

 

 

 

Date: March 7, 2008

 

/s/ David C. Nolan

 

 


 

 

David C. Nolan

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

 

Financial Officer



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